When I think of Memorial Day, I think long weekend. I think warm summer sun. Hot dogs and picnics, and throwing a frisbee on a grassy lawn.
And if you’re a California native like me, Memorial Day holds an even deeper significance: it marks the start of the summer beach season. That means the sound of the waves, the smell of the salt air, and a good evening bonfire.
But obviously, there’s something missing: the actual “memorial” part of Memorial Day.
That’s ironic, given that I’m a conservative — a label that implies a belief that there’s something in the past worth remembering and preserving.
But for most of my life, I can’t recall wondering what I was supposed to be remembering and why I was supposed to be remembering it. Instead, I treated Memorial Day like any other holiday — just an excuse to take a day off and relax.
I’m not the only one.
According to a 2020…
