Memorial Day Thoughts
May 25-26, 2024
Monday is Memorial Day in the United States. Public Law 106-579 sets forth the history, purpose, and observation of Memorial Day. It is worth a few minutes of your time to read the statutory basis for Memorial Day. The Act provides, in part,
(1) it is essential to remember and renew the legacy of Memorial Day, which was established in 1868 to pay tribute to individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States and their families;
(2) greater strides must be made to demonstrate appreciation for those loyal people of the United States whose values, represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the future of the United States.
President Biden issued a proclamation designating Memorial Day as a day of prayer “for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer and reflection.”
President Biden also encouraged families, friends, and neighbors to post tributes to fallen service members at the online Veterans Legacy Memorial. On a day frequently viewed as the reason for a three-day weekend, devoting a few minutes to post a remembrance of a veteran who gave their life in service to their nation is a fitting way to honor their sacrifice and observe Memorial Day.
My wife and I were privileged to travel with friends to the American Battlefield Monument and Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at Belleau Wood, France, in 2018. One hundred years earlier, in the summer of 1918, more than 1,800 members of the US Marine Second Division lost their lives in a grueling, month-long battle that gave the Allies a major victory in WWI.
The US Marines killed in action were buried on the battlefield at Belleau Wood. Today, a cemetery in the French countryside serves as the final resting place for those American soldiers. It is a moving, beautiful, mournful site—and a fitting memorial to their sacrifice. I took the photo below on a cold and gray October day.
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau Wood, France.
On this Memorial Day, let us remember that more than one million Americans have died defending our country. It is fitting that we do so at a time when many Americans are actively working to undermine the democracy for which our fallen veterans gave their lives. It is our task to ensure that their sacrifice is not in vain.
Senators Durbin and Whitehouse call for meeting with Chief Justice Roberts to discuss Alito’s displays of insurrectionist flags
Senators Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse wrote to Chief Justice Roberts on Friday, demanding a meeting to discuss Justice Alito’s display of insurrectionist flags. The letter is here: Letter to Chief Justice Roberts (Senate.gov).
We urge you to immediately take appropriate steps to ensure that Justice Alito will recuse himself in any cases related to the 2020 presidential election and January 6th attack on the Capitol, including the question of former President Trump’s immunity from prosecution for his role in the events of January 6th in Trump v. United States.
We also renew our call for the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable code of conduct for justices.
And we request a meeting with you as soon as possible, in your capacity as Chief Justice and as presiding officer of the Judicial Conference of the United States, to discuss additional steps to address the Supreme Court’s ethics crisis.
According to the Washington Post, Justice Roberts has not responded to a request for comment.
Neither Roberts nor Alito will respond positively (or at all) to the demands for a meeting, recusal, and adoption of a binding ethics code. But the letter is the first sign of life from Dick Durbin regarding the crisis enveloping the Supreme Court. Let’s hope there is more to come.
P.S.—Alden Hackmann has created a website that will walk you through the process of filing a complaint with the Supreme Court regarding Justice Alito. Check it out here: Home (dumpalito.com)
Reminder re Saturday meeting in DC at 10:30 am.
If you signed up for the Reader Meeting in DC on Saturday, you should have received a confirmation email today with details regarding the time and location. If you did not sign up, we are at capacity and cannot accept new RSVPs. Sorry! We will be back soon!
Opportunity for Reader Engagement
Here is an incredible opportunity to support North Carolina, The States Project, and hear from Heather Cox Richardson on Tuesday, May 28.
Join All In for North Carolina & The States Project at an online Zoom event to support turning North Carolina Blue in 2024!
Tuesday, May 28, 7:30 PM EDT/4:30 PM PDT. North Carolina has become a key battleground for the 2024 elections, with the most Democratic opportunities in years. Come hear why, as All In for North Carolina, ten other organizations and The States Project present "North Carolina Is In Play," featuring Heather Cox Richardson, the historian, author and educator, who writes the daily Substack newsletter, Letters from an American.
We'll also hear from Rep. Robert Reives, the Democratic leader of the NC House of Representatives, and Daniel Squadron, co-founder and Executive Director of The States Project. They will explain how we can break the one-seat GOP supermajority in the NC House, keep the governorship Blue -- and win North Carolina's 16 Electoral votes to keep Joe Biden in the White House!
The States Project has a long track record of success in winning state legislative elections, and powering Democratic turnout for up-ballot races. They have made North Carolina a focus state in 2024. All In for North Carolina recruits volunteers and donors to boost Democratic turnout in North Carolina and turn it Blue.
Join us online on Zoom, Tuesday, May 28, 7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST, by signing up here: Donation Link for May 28 North Carolina event with Heather Cox Richardson
Concluding Thoughts
We are in a daunting, confusing, and sometimes dispiriting battle against reactionary forces. Leaders we believed had courage and conscience are surrendering without a whimper to a depraved, aspiring dictator who mocks and belittles them. Worse, after collapsing in surrender, they heap false praise on a man they despise while attacking a good and decent man who is trying his best to stop the would-be despot.
Yet, every day, ordinary Americans make sacrifices, large and small, to defend a democracy redeemed for us by a million American lives. Whatever anxiety and disillusionment we feel pales in comparison to the sacrifices made by those we honor on Memorial Day.
The redemption of America by those who gave their lives was not permanent. Their sacrifice purchased for us the privilege of carrying on their fight for another generation. We must vow that ours will not be the generation that falters or surrenders. Rekindle that promise on Memorial Day by honoring those who kept their promise to us.
The Comments section will be open to all readers on Saturday. I invite family members and friends of fallen veterans to post a remembrance of their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Have a blessed and safe Memorial Day weekend. Talk to you on Monday.
I note with interest the year in which Memorial Day was enacted. There are secessionists in this country to this day who are still battling the Civil War in favor of slavery of all kinds…including at least two Supreme Court justices. This is unconscionable! ADMV - All Democrats Must Vote!!!!!
My deceased uncles, John Malloy (WWII), Mark Ciavarella (WWII) and Peter Cunningham (Vietnam) served their country with honor. Our family is so grateful for their contribution to world peace and democracy. Rest in peace dear uncles.