Food shopping with Darth Vader

A thought for Memorial Day:

My youngest son is 6. He's a Lego mensa, builds neighborhoods in Minecraft, plays baseball, golf and piano, and is unequivocally the biggest (not tallest) Star Wars fan in the First Order. At least monthly, he dons the dark side colors for a trip to the grocery store in search of infidels of the new Resistance. For the galactic purists, he interchanges Vader & Ren as he sees fit, without bias to chronology or episode, so chill. 

He's in full character mode when this happens. Still in the nascent stages of perfecting his psionic communication, he doesn't speak. He points. Telekinetic dominance is looming... he can feel it. All of this plays out in a supermarket full of adoring fans and abundant choices. He's never seen the shelves not overflowing with myriad options - truly an American staple.    

Unaware of the man-made disaster in Syria, he only glances at the news when reports air from there and Afghanistan. Only once has he asked why, "those kids are not in school in the middle of the day". He's never had to flee his home or spend weeks, months, even years away from formalized education. He's definitely never cowered in a closet as bombs detonated outside his home. He's never missed a meal. Iraq, Nigeria, Honduras, Venezuela, Yemen, South China Sea, Ukraine, and Greece are places on a map which he Googles and reads about their customs and geography, sans the strife.  

On domestic issues, he doesn't know that some of the major US banks again hold record level CDO's, or willfully engage in the latest tranche du jour. He does know we will have a new President soon, but has yet to feel the gravity of a general election without precedent - in construct and consequence.

All heavy subjects, indeed, but he's fine. 

There's an element of charm & beauty in his naivete, as it is emblematic of everything we cherish as benefactors of a free republic. He represents our vision - in fact, he personifies it. Pick any one of the countries above, imagine a child regaled in the costume of a 40-year old fictional villain, stalking the aisles and having fun. It doesn't happen. 

But it does happen here. And on Memorial Day, we should all take pause to remember why.  Though the holiday is best known for the start of summer, outdoor BBQs and great clothing sales @ the mall, it’s truly about honoring the memory of those who gave their lives for our way of life. Commemorative gestures acknowledging sacrifice and commitment are always appreciated - never forget; always remember.

For some, the holiday is associated with inimitable pain, sorrow and loss. But most of them will tell you surviving & thriving is what drives them, and the memory of their fallen loved one is a timeless, cherished thought.

So enjoy the weekend, appreciate the holiday and please go to the mall, the beach, a BBQ or a white sale… or not – these are our traditions, our way of life, because we are allowed to choose. We fight to preserve these freedoms, and our military men & women are out there right now, on our behalf.

My son doesn't know it, but  Kylo Ren & I served in the same Marine Corps unit a few years apart, so PR people get busy - his 7th birthday is coming up, and Adam's presence is requested in Miami. They can go food shopping together.