In stark contrast to the somber music and scrolling names which overtakes the Israeli airwaves (TV and radio) over the 24 hours of Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day), my email inbox—and probably yours—is full of sales. It is time, I am told, to buy a car, a grill, a mattress, a summer wardrobe, and more. With vacations on the horizon and a long weekend ahead, Memorial Day’s focus has, unfortunately, shifted from a solemn day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America to a carefree kickoff to summer. At least, that is true for those of us far enough removed from the day—and from military service—to not experience the day as one of personal loss.
But, Memorial Day was not meant to be personal, it was always meant to be communal. On May 5, 1868, General John Logan—then national commander of the Grand Army of the republic—officially proclaimed a Decoration Day in his General Order #11. He proclaimed: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” Specifically untethered to any particular place or battle, the day was meant to be a general recognition of the ultimate sacrifices members of our Armed Services have made. Over a century later, the date was shifted to the last Monday in May.
Given the complicated history of Jews and armed forces over the centuries, there is not a lot of specific liturgy written for the Armed Forces outside of the State of Israel. Rabbi Dr. Larry Milder wrote this, and I invite you to take a moment over the course of this day to stop and offer its words—or other words of gratitude or memory.
Our God, God of our ancestors, we thank you for the numerous blessings you have bestowed upon our nation. Out of the many nations of the world, our country has been blessed with a singular opportunity: to demonstrate how peoples of many faiths and heritages can live side by side and enrich one another’s lives through friendship and the sharing of our unique traditions.
We are united this day in a solemn act of gratitude to those who have served in our nation’s defense, to those who have risked their personal safety to save the lives of others, and, above all, to those who have died serving this country. Their sacrifices are forever remembered by us and by our children for generations to come. We do not forget.
Our hearts go out to those serving today in our armed forces and to their families. Those of us who are veterans of previous wars know best of all what they must be feeling, what their spouses and children are feeling, what they pray for. In all our many faiths, we are united in this: our prayers are with those who serve our country today. We ask God that they may return speedily and in good health and safety to their loved ones.
And may God grant each of us the wisdom to uphold this nation’s virtues, that it may continue to serve as a beacon of liberty and harmony between peoples for all the world to see. Amen.
— Rabbi Sari Laufer