By Olivia Evans and Mitch Evans.
What does Memorial Day mean to you? Your answer will probably vary, depending on your family connections to the military, your age, and your own experiences. For some, it is a time to honor those people who have given their lives serving in the military; they may visit cemeteries and lay flowers or watch parades as a way to commemorate the day. Other people may choose to spend the long weekend with family and friends perhaps enjoying a BBQ and the extra time off work and school.
But it is worth reflecting, in this special centennial year marking the ending of World War 1, why it is so important to never forget the sacrifices made by so many so that we might enjoy our lives today.
2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, a war that saw a total of 10 million people lose their lives. WW1 is often referred to as ‘The Great War’ and ‘the war to end all wars’. It lasted 4 years and saw the mobilization of nearly 65 million soldiers worldwide.
But how have things changed in those 100 years since 1918? Research shows that there have been 15 official wars involving American military in this relatively short time frame. From WW2 in the 1940’s, the Korean war in the 50’s, Vietnam in the 1960 ’s; through to the Global War on Terror which began in 2001 and is still ongoing. Soldiers and civilians still continue to be injured or die and this is why it is so important to have a day dedicated to remembering them.
There have been many changes in the last 100 years. Advances in warfare, technology, medicine, education, agriculture, and industry. Global connections have been made and many people have a better cultural understanding of life in other parts of the world. Due in part to medical progress, the average life expectancy has gone up from 57 years old in 1918 to 80 years old today and it’s still rising.
The world has made great advances in robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and computing. An amazing 63% of the population worldwide now owns a cell phone which has 10,000 times the computing power than the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed humans on the moon. High-speed global travel is easy, in fact, space travel is the next big thing.
We celebrate Memorial day here in America at the end of May but we are not the only country to commemorate those who gave their lives in military service, other countries do as well. Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand falls on April 25th, Belgium has Armistice Day on November 11th which is also Remembrance Day in Great Britain., Germany observes Memorial Day on November 16th and in China, it is September 3rd.
It is important that as we develop as a global nation that we continue to educate the next generation so that no one forgets the heroes who continue to fight on our behalf and those that gave their lives for our liberty.
We are fortunate here in Bedford to have a close tie with Hanscom Air Force Base, and to share our high school with students whose families are currently serving in the military. This connection helps to remind us of the patriotism of Memorial Day. As the soldier Colonel John McCrae said in his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, “To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high!”
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