Veterans, many others deserve remembrance on Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first celebrated in South Carolina within months after the end of the Civil War. The original participants were freed enslaved people who honored the 257 dead Union soldiers who died for their freedom. It has since become a national holiday to honor those who have died in military service to our country. We baby boomers grew up with veterans and veteran relatives, and often are veterans ourselves, and we know of people who died in service.

But as another writer recently commented, “war never decides who is right, but who is left,” I would like to suggest that it is fair and reasonable to remember others who did not die in service, but who were wounded in service. Their numbers were multiples of those who died, and they have lived with their wounds throughout their lives. And the families live with their own physical and psychological wounds.

So I suggest that there are many other groups whose sacrifices and wounds caused by war and violence deserve recognition.

Let us remember the peace officers, firefighters and other personnel who died or were wounded in service.

Let us remember the civilians worldwide who have been injured by warfare in horrible numbers in the past two centuries.

Let us remember the enslaved people who lived their lives under centuries of oppression and a century of discrimination when their equal rights were systematically inhibited.

Let us remember the First Nations in our continents who died in huge percentages when their existence and humanity were ignored by the colonizing powers.

Let us remember those wounded and murdered due to domestic violence and random gun violence.

Let us remember the women and women’s organizations who have fought for equal rights and opportunities for women, and for women’s autonomy regarding their health care choices.

Let us remember our fellow inhabitants who have faced discrimination due to national origin, sexual identities or the practice of their faith.

Let us remember our neighbors who have died unnecessarily due to lack of access to treatable care, or by believing anti-scientific propaganda.

Let us remember our neighbors who have suffered from our frequent natural disasters.

The lists are living and ongoing, but it is not inevitable that they will remain. The affected groups continue to advocate for themselves with the support of congregations like ours. Let us not sink into despondency but renew our commitment to positive changes as we determinatively hold these groups in our thoughts and actions.

Perhaps it is time to begin the parades honoring those who have fallen with a large group of the children for whose safety and freedom they sacrificed.

Michael F. Finkel, M.D., of Naples practiced adult and child neurology for 40 years, including Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic appointments. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, a Fellow of the Florida Society of Neurology, and a retired member of the Child Neurology Society.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Veterans, many others deserve remembrance on Memorial Day