The first of the year’s major holiday Mondays is upon us. Moreover, Memorial Day 2024 in Puerto Peñasco will mean different things to different people. For local businesses in town, it is the finale of what is usually the first big 3- or 4-day tourism weekend each year. And that’s a good thing.
However, because I am an American adult, I must leave my interests in Puerto Peñasco for yesterday or tomorrow. Today is unique. In fact, it is the only Monday holiday which is difficult to manage emotionally. I will explain what the day means to me in the hopes it will educate some and resonate with others.
Celebrating Memorial Day 2024
Many Americans will celebrate Memorial Day 2024. For most, it is a Monday off from work. Furthermore, thousands visiting Rocky Point Mexico will hope to bask a little longer in the sunshine at spots like the Sonoran Sun Resort pool or on Sandy Beach. Then, their biggest heartache of the day is worrying about how bad the line will be at the border as they re-enter the United States.
On the other hand, millions more are staying stateside across America today. In many places, weather forecasts warning of violent storms including tornadoes are the biggest downer. And those are more than valid concerns.
However, for the masses across the U.S., Memorial Day 2024 is the first holiday on the calendar marked for gathering outside with friends and family. Many grills will be fired up for hot dogs and hamburgers. Meanwhile, many coolers will be packed with cold beer, water, and soda. These scenarios are examples of what freedom looks like today.
Memorial Day – A Day of Honor and Remembrance
The more life experience I get, the more I focus on who is not celebrating Memorial Day 2024. This is because the purpose of the holiday is to honor and remember all those U.S. Military Veterans who died in service to their country. There are powerful sayings about veterans on Memorial Day. One is “All gave some. Some gave all.”
Each heroic man and woman who died defending freedom made the ultimate sacrifice. Think about that. I mean let it sink in. Indeed, they had hopes and dreams for the future, too. Yet, the profound sadness and sacrifice doesn’t end there.
Today, their fellow servicemen and women mourn. They remember and they honor those who didn’t make it home like they did. Friends and families do the same. They too would give most anything to have a chance to enjoy hugs, hot dogs and hamburgers with their fallen heroes.
Fallen Veterans Earned Their Moment
My wish is that you and every American who reads this will remember you can easily have it all on Memorial Day 2024. You have your beach days and your barbecues. You can have all the fun you want with the freedom many around the world have never known.
But you can’t truly have it all if you don’t do the decent thing. Please, take a moment or two to feel genuine senses of loss and gratitude, respect and remembrance. It is richly deserved by all those we are asked to honor on Memorial Day.
