Arlington National Cemetery by Andrew Bossi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons.

For the past several years I have been a designer for a major American furniture brand. And while my skills are better suited for one-on-one interaction with clients in crafting a comfortable and beautiful living environment I also sell sofas and mattresses to any Tom, Dong, or Achmed who walks in off the street. In that regard, any time off for me in observance of a national holiday is non-existent. Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Presidents’ Day, Independence Day… the nationally designated holidays which are uniquely American are all mandatory work days as the suits salivate over corporate profits.

An honor guard from the 1st Special Forces Group transports the flag-draped coffin of Sgt. 1st Class Nathan R. Chapman, the first U.S. soldier killed by hostile fire in Afghanistan. By Joe Barrentine, U.S. Army [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Nowadays Memorial Day Sales and advertising nearly spans the entire month of May, with sale prices often extended for the week thereafter. But despite the elongated span of time there is no consideration whatsoever to close shop and allow employees that day to honor those who died defending our country. Retail powers-that-be contend that they have to open on Memorial Day in order to keep up with the competition.

My boss actually tried to feed us the rationale that by working on Memorial Day we are doing more to honor those who died for this country and the American way of life than we would by going to a picnic.

(And sadly this phenomenon is now beginning to happen on Thanksgiving… Troysart – Bah Humbug to Christmas Commercialism.)

I certainly understand that given a three-day holiday (the weekend plus a Monday) Americans find something other to do than swath graves in red, white, and blue or lay wreaths at a monuments. Memorial Day also means a free vacation to kick-off summer with a barbeque, a pool party, or a trip to the beach.

But given the extended sale periods, often two or three weeks of Memorial Day events, why would anyone be shopping on Memorial Day proper anyway? And why not get the shopping done and enjoy a real vacation?

Family members visit the gravesite of a loved one during Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., May 25, 2009. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Until this particular servitude I never in my life anticipated a three-day weekend without plans to be with friends or family.

And to be perfectly honest, the advertisement is surely bigger during national holidays but the sale prices are not necessarily. The company that employs me offers bigger discounts prior to the sale as incentive to get people out of the market thus freeing staff to help the flip flop wearing hoards shuffling through like sheep that day (and we all know how I feel about flip floppers: Troysart – Flip Flops are Disgusting).

Dealing with the public I have come to realize just how programmed Americans have become by marketing and advertising. Even the smart shoppers who get out into the marketplace to pre-shop are often incredulous, in our case, that the price being offered is either the same or better than on actual Memorial Day.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery by dbking [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

It is important to take time to remember what this holiday really means. Over a million red-blooded men and women have been killed in service to our country since the Civil War—but that’s nothing compared to the low low prices at the fucking mall!

The Memorial Day Foundation.org

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