A War As Deadly As Any Other
“Memorial Day may feel different than in previous years, the purpose of this solemn holiday remains the same.”
Mayor Linda Pennoyer At Memorial Day Ceremony
By Linda Pennoyer
Linda Pennoyer is Mayor of the Town of Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County. The mayor released the following statement at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Town Hall in recognition of Memorial Day.
"Good morning. Thanks to everyone for coming out for today’s Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony in the Town of Upper Marlboro.
“To say this is the most unusual Memorial Day that any of us have ever experienced would be an understatement. No one could have predicted what we all have experienced here in Upper Marlboro, throughout our state, across the county, or around the world. Three months ago, few of us had ever heard the terms ‘coronavirus,’ ‘COVID-19,’ ‘contact tracing,’ or ‘social distancing.’ Now, they are a part of our everyday vocabulary. And likely will be for the rest of our lives.
“Although this Memorial Day may feel different than in previous years, the purpose of this solemn holiday remains the same. Since May 1868, Memorial Day has been a day to honor, recognize, and mourn the women and men who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. If I were to guess, I would imagine that some of us here this morning have lost a member of their family in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or another U.S. military conflict. We stand here today to honor their service, their sacrifice, their bravery, and their memory.
“But today, I want to suggest a different purpose, and perhaps another way to view Memorial Day in our great nation. I want us also to remember the brave women and men who lost their lives in the fight against COVID-19. The nurses, the doctors, police officers, firefighters, nursing home workers, and all those who ran toward danger, while we all stayed safely at home. In many ways, they lost their lives while fighting a war just as deadly as any war. They didn’t face muskets, cannons, guns, or chemical weapons. They faced a silent, unpredictable, and unseen killer who has frequently preyed on the most vulnerable citizens among us.
“These heroes wore uniforms, too. Instead of Army battle fatigues or Navy dress whites, they wore scrubs, gowns, and face shields. Many of them left home to go off to war against COVID-19, and never came home. Their sacrifice is no less noble or heroic. So today, as we sing the Star-Spangled Banner or recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and we close our eyes for a few moments to remember those we’ve lost, please include in your thoughts and prayers this new group of heroes."
