Garden State Times

The following column by Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) was first published in 2000:

Today’s vocabulary word is “perspective.” Occasionally, as we make our way through another day, another week, another year, something happens that stops us in our tracks and makes us think. Memorial Day is supposed to be a day that triggers that kind of reflection. Of course, even that day has become part of the yearly routine—almost unnoticed and certainly not given much thought by most of us.

Memorial Day has become a day of summer’s anticipation during which we consume massive amounts of food and drink and lie in the sun. Thus the connection to this column. This column is about all the pleasures of food and good times. This one week it would be a good idea to put the things we enjoy into perspective. How did we get “here” and who was responsible for making “here” the great place it is?

There are not too many things in history—or traits of the people of our country—that we can look at and say with much certainty that they were world-changing events or characteristics. The wars fought by the United States of America and the character of the people who fought them are exceptions. Without either, the world would be a very different place.

I write this admittedly goofy column every week about cheese fries and hotdogs and mile-long buffet tables without much thought or thanks to those people who made the sacrifices that paid for everything we have today. We as individuals are so proud of our own personal successes that we frequently fail to realize that none of what we have today would have been possible without that big-eared kid who waved goodbye to his mom when he shipped off to fight and die in World War II or I or any other wars or battles the United States has waged.

I know there are those who would argue that the purpose of some wars we have waged is debatable; Vietnam always stirs heated debate. But the men and women, sons and daughters, who served and died there were no less responsible for instilling in future generations a sense of honor, duty, and courage than those who served in previous campaigns.

This being a food-oriented column, I recently spent some time reflecting on dinners consumed around this country before a family member was shipped overseas to die for us. Did their mothers know via that sixth sense mothers seem to have as they served their sons that last meal? Did they pay extra special attention to how their sons held their forks, ate huge amounts, yet still had to be reminded to eat their vegetables? Did they send them away knowing they might never see them again?

My generation has not faced fear from drafts or likely large-scale deployments resulting in death at war. Our mothers haven’t faced what might likely be our last meal with them because those before us were strong enough to endure these challenges—and those going off to war today volunteer so others won’t have to face it.

The ghosts of those fallen sit next to us at picnic tables; it is—to them—we drink whether consciously or not. They revel in watching our children play in yards knowing these young lives hold potential due largely to sacrifices made by fallen heroes.

I don’t intend for this column to leave anyone feeling depressed or solemn. Reverence and joy are not mutually exclusive emotions; I can’t think of a place closer to heaven than a backyard Memorial Day barbecue! We should understand whom we thank for days off along with wonderful aspects—and perhaps lives themselves—in ours.

Next week we'll return squarely back into irreverence; it never hurts once awhile reminding ourselves whom we owe gratitude.