I drive past Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis every time I go to the airport. We know them as the "Greatest Generation" - the men and women who took on big challenges and gave selflessly.
These are the unsung heroes who saw action in Europe, Asia and Africa, and then came home and got down to business. Around 1,000 World War II veterans are dying each day. More than 400,000 American soldiers and sailors died in World War II. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."
Patton offered his own perspective: "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. I guarantee you'll come away with a new appreciation for the extraordinary efforts of our veterans and the ultimate sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our country. Touching and beautiful ceremonies are held at cemeteries across the country, and if you haven't ever attended one, I encourage you to go this year. Now, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. After World War I, the observance expanded to include ceremonies honoring those who died in all of America's wars.
In the 19th century, "Decoration Day" was started to encourage citizens to decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. Here's a brief history lesson about Memorial Day. We owe such a great debt to those who have died wearing an American uniform, or lived to tell about it. We take our liberty for granted, but as the saying goes, freedom isn't free. We owe our freedom to those who are willing to defend it.Īs a businessman who has realized the American dream, I understand that the sacrifices of our valiant service people have enabled us to live free and pursue our opportunities. We go to sleep at night knowing the morning will bring another opportunity. We sell our products on the free market, hire from a well-educated and motivated work force, grow our businesses without limits if we are successful, and make a fair profit. We all have the chance to study what interests us, work where we choose to work, take risks and fail and try again. What we have in America simply doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. Our whole democracy survives because we have brave men and women who fight to protect our way of life. What does this have to do with a column about business? Plenty. We rarely stop to think about what we are allowed to say or do, or where we can go. Whenever I hear that song, I am reminded how fortunate we are to live in a country where we can live pretty much as we please, within the law, of course. Lee Greenwood wrote a popular patriotic song a number of years ago with lyrics that are perfect for Memorial Day: I sincerely hope that Americans attach a deeper meaning to this unique holiday. For some, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, a long holiday weekend to head to the beach or fire up the barbecue.
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