Charlie’s First Picture
Just what is the purpose of government? I think I need to review. But not today. Today is Memorial Day and, once upon a time it was my son’s birthday. I am witness to the fact that he was born at 7:44 in the morning on Memorial Day, 1956. It was May 30th. I remember being pleased that his birthday would always be a holiday.
And so it was… until his fourteenth birthday. By then, Congress had passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Charlie’s birthday (which just happened to be Memorial Day), from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The other three holidays were Washington’s Birthday, Labor Day, and Columbus Day.
Charlie’s Birth Announcement
I wonder what George’s mother might have thought about the change. In one way it is comforting to know that Charlie and the Father of Our Country were given the same cavalier treatment. But, still, it does make me wonder just what the bottom line purpose of our elected leaders might be.
I think of Dan Driscoll’s campaign slogan — “fair and just treatment under the law”– and wonder how that factors in when it comes to messing around with holidays and birthdays. I think, perhaps, the answer to the purpose of government is simply to keep us confounded and a bit miffed for indefinite periods of time.
Memorial Day used to be a holiday to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Even that official purpose has morphed over time as noted in our local cemeteries where the VFW places flags honoring all veterans and the rest of us decorate the graves of loved ones (whether or not they serrved) with flowers. Go figure.
I experienced a few more years than Charlie having my Birthday recognized as a national holiday. No school; YEAH! Marching in (some years 2) parades with the school band, heavy wool uniforms and 6 pound hats, hot sun likely; BOOO! Memorial Day in New England seemed both solemn AND festive. Picnics AT the cemeteries sometimes among headstones of the Revolutionary War Fallen. And, among other things, the first parental approved lake and river swimming of the season. -j-
Yes, Memorial Day (the May 30th one) always felt like the beginning of summer — especially when we lived in California. I think it was mostly me that liked Charlie’s birthday being on a holiday. It always seemed like such a hack to do something special on a “regular” day — selfish mom speaking!
I’m not sure I ever knew that you and Charlie shared a birthday. It makes me think there is something about Leigh’s old house, since Nick and I also shared a birthday! I wonder what the current birthday situation is… Anyway, I can’t think of a single person I’d rather have as Charlie’s “doppleganger” (of sorts). I think both of you should celebrate on Memorial Day AND on the 3oth!