Memorial Day and Politics - Is it right to campaign on Memorial Day?
Memorial Day and the Responsible Role of Politics Every year on the last Monday of May (today), Americans gather in cemeteries, town squares, and memorial parks to remember those who gave their lives in service to the United States. Friends and families gather, and it is the unofficial "kickoff" to summer. But Memorial Day is not just another day off. It is a sacred moment on the national calendar—one that transcends partisanship, religion, sex, and all the "isms" over which we quarrel, and reminds us of the cost of freedom. For candidates and elected officials, Memorial Day presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. It is appropriate—indeed, it is vital—for those in public service and seeking office to participate in Memorial Day observances. After all, many of the fallen died defending the democratic institutions those candidates seek to serve. But political figures must tread carefully, honoring the day’s meaning rather than using it as a campaign bac...