"The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude." – Jeff Miller

Date: May 29th, 2017
(the last Monday of May)

Occasion: Memorial Day

Country: United States

Disclaimer: Each of the characters in this chapter are from various stories that are posted, or used to be posted, on my account.

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XIV | Rekindling The Flame

Chicago and Candy Floss

By Emily Jenner

Here in Chicago, we see a crowd of solemn citizens begin to gather around what seems to be the side of a road, anticipating what's going to come next. It's currently noon, meaning that the parade should be starting shortly.

Having interviewed several children, who seem to be incapable of anything except squealing and hugging the teddy bears they forced their parents to bring so they wouldn't bawl their way through the car ride, I can conclude that Memorial Day is not of the upmost importance to the kids.

The adults have a reaction almost contrary to that of their younger counterparts, as one I have come across seemed to be overcome with emotion and unable to speak. Another one said, and I quote, "Memorial Day commemorates the importance of our fallen soldiers, and I strongly believe that that is one of the most important days the U.S. can celebrate."

Anyway, the parade's about to begin. My boyfriend is bouncing on his toes to try and see above the many heads in front of us, while eating blue, white and red candy floss which I need to steal some of later. He's also shouting, "hooray, hooray! It's parade day!" and acting rather childish as officers wielding flags begin to make their way down the street.

My friend Erin, on the other hand, is half-listening to her boyfriend, Alex, jabbering about Memorial Day and spending the other half of her attention teaching children how to juggle batons. Careful! Remember what happened last time you juggled something sharp without supervision? Well, yes, but Alex is practically your parental figure. Don't say that's gross, you know it's true.

Let's listen in on some of what Alex is saying. "Thank you, someone who finally listens to me!" he says exasperatedly. Okay Alex, stop being such a drag. We want to learn stuff, not hear you complain all day. "Memorial Day is a day for remembrance," he explains. "It was initially called Decoration Day."

What? It used to be called Decoration Day? You're kidding! That's like Christmas and New Year's threw a party together and conceived another holiday after a wild night. Memorial Day has a way better ring to it. Oh, wait, hold on a second. Alex says that the name originated from honoring the deceased. Soldiers used to decorate graves of their fallen comrades with flowers, flags and wreaths.

So, never mind. Forget everything I said. Anyhow, that's it from me on this fine Memorial Day. Over to you, Mr Optometristan. My boyfriend's chucking blue, white and red glitter everywhere and it's super distracting.

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Stars, Stripes and a Lot of Running

By Tristan Gray

Yes, Emily, I know it's my turn. No need to nag me about it. I'm currently situated in Waterloo, New York. How's Chicago going?

The reason I'm here is because I'm sort of on a date with my girlfriend, who thankfully is not childish enough to chuck glitter everywhere. No, Faith, I'm not complimenting you. You're still dumb. Just not that dumb. Hey– ow! Stop hitting me! Jesus, did you fill your handbag with boulders?

Anyway, the other reason is that people believe that Memorial Day originated in Waterloo, so we're going to be taking a look around here, explore some stuff. I don't know, Faith's the one who organises these things. She's probably also going to spout some facts about Memorial Day along the way, since she studied it in history last year.

We're currently watching guards raise the American flag on these tall poles. They look like those guards in front of Buckingham Palace. I wonder if they ever smile? Ooh, I wonder if I can make them smile? Now Faith's saying that I'm being stupid. Whatever. She's just jealous of my ideas.

Now Faith's asking me in which order the colours of the American flag are. What do you mean, what order? They're all over the place! Fifty white stars in one corner with a blue square, and then the rest looks like an enlarged version of Waldo! As a matter of fact, is that where he hides all the time? Was that why I could never find him as a child?

I'm kidding, it's blue, white, and then red. I may be irritating, but I'm not ignorant. Now my girlfriend's bugging me. Excuse me, who's the early high school graduate here? Not you? Then zip your mouth, woman! Okay, now she's just pouting. Oh, and she says that more than 36 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home this Memorial Day. That's a lot of brains for zombies to consume.

Oh, now Faith is rushing towards a place where crowds are beginning to gather. I suppose I should be a good boyfriend and follow her. I see that it's some kind of sporting event. That's cool. Faith reports that it's a 5K run, which is a tribute to the fallen. Awe, that's sweet. It's nice of them to sacrifice their many hours wasted on Tumblr just for fallen soldiers.

Well, that's all the reporting I can manage for today. Waterloo is super busy at the moment and I doubt anyone can hear me over the screams of terror, or joy. I can't really tell the difference. Anyhow, I'll hand the reigns to you, Jasmine! Where are you, anyway?

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Sunshine With A Hint of Backsides

By Jasmine Hostel

Hey Tristan! I'm here in beautiful California at the moment. Memorial Day is the day the beaches open, so there are currently hoards of people milling about, getting antsy while anxiously waiting for golden sunshine and splashing each other in the waves.

My friend, Nick, and I were listening in on a tour guide this morning talking about Memorial Day. Speaking of Nick, he's currently munching on the leftovers of his popsicle and seeing if he won a free one.

You know how sometimes, popsicle sticks have things printed on them that say that you've won another? Yeah, Nick's won four times in a row. Four free popsicles. I wonder how he's not ridiculously overweight, with how much food he consumes. Nick, don't you dare hit me. Ow! Do that again, and I will happily claw your eyes out with my nails, do you hear me?

Anyway, let me run through some facts about Memorial Day. One of my other friends would be way better at this than I am. She's amazing at anything to do with history, but she's spending the day back in our hometown. Nick says that on Memorial Day, you need to fly the flag at half staff until noon, and then raise it to the top of the staff until sunset. Wow, Americans are super specific.

Nick's arguing that I'm an American too. Well yes, by residence, but not by ethnicity. It hardly counts. But I guess I'm commemorating the fallen soldiers on Memorial Day like everyone else, so he has a point there.

Oh, now the beaches are open. Gosh, I don't need to see such a pale backside this early in the morning. Crowds of families stream in. I'm surprised that they haven't caused a blockade at the gates, but maybe we're finally beginning to do things in an orderly manner.

Anyway, how about we move onto the next Memorial Day area? There's not much going on here except people covered in blue, white and red face paint and lots of screaming. Who's next again? Oh right, it's Jack. Hello, Jack! How's your day going?

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'Cause Baby, You're A Firework!

By Jack Nicholson

Hey Jasmine! Considering this is the first time I've celebrated Memorial Day, it's going well, thanks for asking. I'm here in San Francisco, soaking in the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge with my friend, Vienna. It's super crowded here. I can hardly hear myself.

Oh, now Vienna's hailing a cab. She says that Memorial Day began with the civil war. Of course she would know this, being the smart alec she is. The only kind of civil war I'm down for is the Captain America movie. I wonder if they'd ever create a national holiday for Marvel films or something. Maybe every Marvel fan in the world can binge watch the movies simultaneously. That'd be cool. Near impossible, but a nice concept.

We're in the cab now, and watching the colours fly by. Most of them are blue, white and red, for obvious reasons. Do you know why those colours are what they are? White signifies purity and innocence, red for hardiness and valour, while blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Yes, I did study a bit of American culture. Sue me.

Now Vienna's reading a map of San Francisco, since neither of us have been here before. You know you're holding it upside down, right? Besides, why don't you just use Google Maps? Even Apple Maps? Oh come on, Apple can be reliable sometimes. It's not like you're having any luck with a paper map.

She's abruptly told the taxi driver to stop here, for some reason. From what I can see, and it's a massive view, it's some sort of display area. Many strange mechanisms and control panels around here. Oh, now Vienna's tugging me up the stairs. Ow, watch the head! Don't you notice that I'm taller than you?

Now she's taking me somewhere quiet and secluded. I don't know whether we've even allowed up here. She assures me that it's fine, and she knows a guy. Naturally, that doesn't reassure me at all. Now she's rolling her eyes impatiently and says that we're going to create a fireworks display. From what I can decipher from the scary packages, we're going set off red, white and blue fireworks.

I don't have the ability to write newspaper articles, report, and set off fireworks without killing somebody, so I guess this is where my article ends. I pass the torch onto the next person, who I think is Holly or Evan.

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Museums and Metal Birds

By Holly Foster

Yes, it's me, Jack. Holly here. I'm here with my twin brother, Evan, so I guess you're half-correct. We're at a museum in Waterloo.

Having taken a tour around and watched many people wander around the museum with awestruck stars in their eyes and mouths hanging open like gormless trolls, I can conclude that this is one fancy museum.

Evan makes his way over to a cluster of gigantic metal objects where a small group of people are gathered, oohing and ahhing. Evan, can you see what they're looking at? I'm too freaking short. Okay, so my brother reports that they're looking at a gallery of warbirds which commemorates Memorial Day. I'm just wondering how any of these metallic automations resemble birds.

Evan is rolling his eyes and explains with exasperated hand gestures that they're not actual birds, they're models of planes. Geez, it's like I insulted his newborn child or something. Take a chill pill, brother dear. I do admit that these planes are incredible, though. I mean, if they fall in our direction, we're dead meat, but they're nice to look at.

My brother says that there are more than 300,000 fallen soldiers buried at Arlington Cemetery and that on average, there are 28 burials there each day. Okay, yes, that's nice, but what does that have to do with these planes? Oh wait, it doesn't? That's disappointing. Besides, how do you even know this? I don't even know this, and I've gotten straight As in history class.

Oh, apparently I have to wrap this up quick. All in all, Memorial Day commemorates the soldiers that have fallen for the sake of our country, the ones who sacrificed their lives to preserve ours. These people have given us the most precious gift of all. Our lives. So, let's make sure that their memories live on. Let's rekindle the flame of their souls. Make sure that they're glowing and making themselves known, that they're remembered in every good way. These are good people who have earned our lasting gratitude. Remember that.

Signing off,
Holly Foster.