By Paul P. McNamara, Col. USMC (ret.), President EDC

Ever since I was a kid, Memorial Day was the symbolic beginning of summer and the end of the school year.  Being in various youth groups, I participated in the community events celebrating that day.  It was a great holiday.  But as time went on, and I spent almost 28 years in the Marine Corps, Memorial Day took on a more somber tone.  There were still barbecues and family outings, but the Marine Corps exposed me to the true cost of those events that we take for granted.  The reason for the holiday was no longer an abstract concept.

EDC President Paul McNamara presents a wreath at the Escondido Memorial Day Ceremonies

Now having lived and worked with some of those men and women who did give us their ultimate sacrifice, I can say with certainty that they would want us to have the fun and joy that this late spring holiday provides.  At the same time, I think they would want us to remember what they stood for.  Among many virtues, equality and fairness stand out.

The military experience does two things.   It asks you to support and defend the constitution of the United States and then it thrusts you into a population that represents every aspect of America and tells you to get along.  For many, this experience challenged the comfortable notions of people that they had in their youth and learned in their hometown.  But over time, one realizes that we really are a more unified people than the media might suggest.  One only has to go on “liberty” in a foreign country to recognize that all fill-in-the-blank Americans are viewed simply as Americans.  It might be the best civics lesson the military can teach.

So today, when we look at communities and see that the rights provided by the constitution are not applied equally to everyone, it is time for remembrance.  It is time to remember that brave men and women offered their lives for the principles and guarantees of that document. It is time to remember that we have a duty to honor them by ensuring their sacrifice was not in vain. It is time to remember that they lost the prejudices of their youth and participated in a communion of people that lived the best ideals of our nation. It is time to remember that every citizen has the duty to support and defend the constitution of the United States.

Our city is at a crossroads.  The very principles of our nation are being challenged in our local government.  It is time to remember that there is only one course for us and that is to do the right thing.  It would be the best way to honor those Americans who fought for us on this Memorial Day.