By John McCallum
Managing Editor 

Honoring our war dead where they live

Write to the Point

 

Last updated 6/6/2019 at 8:23am



Memorial Day weekend was busier than usual this year in Cheney. Here are some thoughts on that.

This year saw the first staging of a reenactment of the American Civil War by the Washington Civil War Association. In partnership with several businesses and organizations — including the city of Cheney and American Legion Post 72 — the two-and-half-day event featured association members in period dress and accoutrements engaging in battles and demonstrating how people lived and thought during that conflict over 150 years ago.

On Monday, Memorial Day, the reenactment closed with a Memorial Day service at the forested site along Anderson Road between the city’s Utility Building and wastewater treatment plant. From what I have heard, it was a wonderful and well-attended observation.

Because of this, however, no service was held — as has been an honored tradition over the years — at Cheney’s Fairview Cemetery where many residents who fought in past conflicts are buried.

While I think the idea of a service involving the reenactment was a fine idea, from my perspective it was the right thing to do in the wrong place.

I’ll explain.

We have three days that we officially recognize contributions made by our men and women in uniform. Armed Forces Day in May pays tribute to active duty military members, Veterans Day in November acknowledges the service of former members of the military and Memorial Day honors those who gave their lives in service to their country.

The first two can be done anywhere and done well. School assemblies, American Legion and VFW posts, city council meetings, even backyard barbecues, any place is a good place to remember those are serving and have served.

While you can argue the same for Memorial Day, really there are only two appropriate places to honor the memory of the fallen — where they fell and where they are buried. War dead are usually buried in cemeteries close to the battles in which they lost their lives, so when we hold ceremonies in such places it is we who are coming to them in humble appreciation of their sacrifice.

Most of the battles fought by American servicemen and servicewomen are overseas, making it difficult for us to come to them. We substitute that by holding Memorial Day ceremonies in our local cemeteries — quiet, still places of solemnity and honor where we can wall off the outside world and give our attention where it’s due. Places that call out and almost demand reflection and contemplation about those who have gone on and about our own roles in this world.

On Memorial Day, we come to honor the dead, and the day should be about them. In my opinion, it’s difficult to do this at any place where you are not surrounded by them, which keeps our attention focused where it should be. Holding a Memorial Day observation any place other than a cemetery runs the risk of the event becoming more about where it’s held than about those it’s held for.

In other words, holding a Memorial Day service at the Civil War reenactment site, instead of Fairview Cemetery, takes some focus off of those we honor and puts it on the place of honor, even if the service proved to be memorable and well-attended.

I don’t know if the Washington Civil War Association will be holding future reenactments in Cheney, and frankly I don’t care one way or the other. But if it is done again, my suggestion is to form up a procession and walk — those who can’t should ride — to the place where we truly honor those who gave their lives in service to their country.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.

Author Bio

John McCallum, Retired editor

John McCallum is an award-winning journalist who retired from Cheney Free Press after more than 20 years. He received 10 Washington Newspaper Publisher Association awards for journalism and photography, including first place awards for Best Investigative, Best News and back-to-back awards in Best Breaking News categories.

 

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