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Memorial Day and America First

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 I’ve never served in the armed forces.  Therefore, I can’t possibly grasp the depth of meaning that Memorial Day holds for families who know what service and sacrifice really mean.

My father served for 39 months during World War II, but was fortunate to have been kept from harm’s way.  He was part of a generation, perhaps the greatest generation, that was not preoccupied with self.  The trite phrase, ‘we are all in this together’, was a touchstone of that time.  No more.  Back then we crossed oceans to serve not only our nation’s interests, but also to preserve world peace.  Now, we have become much more self-oriented, both as a nation and as individuals.  America First has captured the sensibilities of tens of millions of Americans, a phrase that harkens back to Charles Lindbergh who was a speaker and supporter for the America First Committee.  Lindbergh was an American hero who was also an anti-Semite who received the Service Cross of the German Eagle by Hitler’s government.  

Charles Lindbergh - Champion of America First

I’ve thought a lot about freedom this past year. I’ve seen it championed and exploited and attacked and misunderstood.  Indeed, it has been downright weaponized.  Heretofore, it has been a unique and unifying American concept that has bound us together.  I fear now that it is often wielded to strike and divide us. Consider a few examples.

No mask for me.  I won’t let you attack my freedom.

Freedom of speech?  We found your tweet from 10 years ago.  The security guards will now escort you to your car.

You expressed a contrary view on college admission processes with the intent of engaging in civil discourse.  Our response?  You are a racist.

A free nation accepts the results of fair elections.  Consider the conspiratorial chaos we have witnessed since Election Day 2020.  Is this coming attractions?

A new interpretation of Freedom of Assembly is to storm the Capitol wreaking destruction and death.

Freedom of the press does not support tendentious and slanted coverage in print and on the airways.  I have seen too much of this and lament the lack of accountability and contrition by the journalism profession.

There is no conscription now which was a patriotic and unifying experience for young citizens.  If today's generation faced the existential challenge that my dad's generation faced, what would we do?  While I do not advocate for a return of the draft, I do wish there were a year or two of required national service.  I can think of a dozen reasons why it’s a great idea.  Why haven’t we done this?

To those of you who have served, and to your families, I honor you all.  Continue to set an example for the rest of us of what freedom truly means and why we must so zealously protect it.




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  1. Rich Maranoff M.D.May 30, 2021 at 10:54 AM

    I,m sorry to say that your Dads generation grew up with marked antisematism, antiblack, isolationism, and no desire to help anyone until dragged into war. Things have not changed much since then as this seems to be the human condition since forever. Hopefully the younger generation will not have to carry this baggage and move to a brighter future.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michael Kirsch, M.D.May 31, 2021 at 5:09 PM

    Rich, Thanks so much for taking time to offer a thoughtful comment. Of course, we agree that there was prejudice and bigotry in my father’s generation. These flaws date back to bible days. But I do maintain that the country was certainly more unified then and with a greater degree of shared purpose that exists now. I acknowledge your point that war can be a unifying event, but WW II occurred after the nation was bound more tightly together after several terms of FDR. War can also have the opposite effect, as we saw in Vietnam. This past year, the pandemic – analogous in some ways to a war – had a divisive effect on the nation. One might have thought that the pandemic would be a great unifier. It wasn’t. Look at how the nation reacted to masks, the vaccines and the lockdowns? Wouldn’t you have predicted at the pandemic’s onset here that we would have all pulled together? Once again, thanks for making the effort to respond

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elliot DavidsonJune 2, 2021 at 1:10 PM

    Hi Michael,
    I agree completely and also support national service for 1-2 years after HS or college.
    Also I have an idea of expanding your blog to a podcast! Your fans want more!

    ReplyDelete

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