We have arrived at a point where the term soldiers is often used far too glibly.  Professional athletes routinely refer to their games as wars, and far too many young men have gotten accustomed to seeing themselves as soldiers in the street.  Maybe it’s because for most of us Memorial Day is only seen as a day to barbecue and get away from home or work, and not as an opportunity to reflect on those who have passed away defending this nation.  Sadly, few of us are even likely to consider that since we are a nation currently in the midst of two wars, dead soldiers are not a reality of a far-flung past documented on the history channel, but rather a tragic fact that military families wake up to every day in this country.

As far too many of our neighbors in Crown Heights can attest to, this Memorial Day is not another opportunity to mourn those who died in the Civil War, World War I or II, or even Vietnam–but those who have lost their lives fighting in this nation’s two current ongoing wars.

Therefore on this memorial day, we at NP hope that you will take a moment and give thanks and offer peace to our brothers, sisters–and neighbors currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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