Air shows may be fun and entertaining. Displays of military weaponry may be interesting, even exhilarating to some, but can't we choose another weekend to celebrate these instruments of death and destruction? The fact of the matter is that this is MEMORIAL Day/Weekend, folks, not Armed Forces Day, Military Technology Day, Military Recruitment Day, etc. Though those of us who have known war feel the pain and loss each day of our lives and need no holiday to remind us, Memorial Day/weekend is the occasion that our nation sets aside to remember and grieve those who made the ultimate sacrifice. America needs to be reminded that Memorial Day is not about picnics, or barbecues, or sales at the mall. It is certainly not about celebrating the technology of war or exploiting the sacrifices of our servicemen and women for marketing purposes. The following is an excerpt from the Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Air Show Website (http://www.jonesbeachairshow.com/ ), perhaps the mother of all air show extravaganzas, held this past Saturday and Sunday at Jones Beach in New York.
“If your company would like to go beyond typical marketing ... Huge family participation coupled with the extraordinary setting make the air show at Jones Beach a great opportunity for corporate sponsorship and VIP hospitality. Our participating sponsors link their brand with the exciting, patriotic event as they host their most valued clients, employees, family and friends in a truly first class setting. Hospitality tents lined up along the beachfront offer private beach enclosures and can be tailored to meet each sponsor’s specific marketing aim ... The Business Package includes 10 Tickets to the Jones Beach VIP Tent, and 4 VIP Parking Passes and you may also hang a small Corporate Banner inside the tent.” Cost :$2000.00
This blatant commercialization of patriotic sentiment and the sacrifices of Americans in war is an outrage to anyone who has proudly wore the uniform, loves America, and who understands and appreciates the nature of sacrifice and service to Country. Further it is an insult to those who made the greatest sacrifice in our behalf and to their families who will never again caress their son, daughter, husband, or wife ... and will never recover from their loss.
Air shows, displays of the implements of destruction, and high pressure and flashy recruitment antics may be exhilarating to some and perhaps suitable on other occasions, but totally inappropriate and irreverent on Memorial Day/Weekend, a time of grieving and remembrance.
It is regrettable, therefore, that corporations such as the Bethpage Federal Credit Union, continue to exploit the sacrifices of servicemen and women (the New York extravaganza was created five years ago) by turning this most sacred weekend of mourning into a spectacle of military machinery and commercial marketing. Consequently, those of us who honor the memory our fallen brothers and sisters must speak with one voice and demand that all Americans, individuals and corporations, become sensitive to the true meaning of Memorial Day and respect the sacrifices of those this day is meant to honor.
Vets4PeaceLI
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