Memorial Day Shenanigans

The bing! of cash registers opening and the crackle of shopping bags being handled are just a few decibels louder than “Taps". And the Memorial Day parade just happened to be at the same time as the early bird sale at Macy’s. Like most American holidays, corporate America overshadows Memorial Day with its advertisement and sales ploys.

I visited my parents over the long weekend, Memorial Day being one of the special holidays observed by my university, rewarding the students with a day free of classes. My extended family organized a brief get-together on Monday afternoon, complete with the All-American fixin’s of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, potato chips and ice cold beers. As soon as the get-together dwindled a bit, my mom and I headed straight to the mall. My mom told me we’d have to rush over because the stores probably closed early. A slave to the world of retail myself, I chuckled at her blatant and obvious sarcasm. To my surprise, she was serious. “Mom, there are no holidays in the world of retail,” I corrected. And much to my mother’s surprise, the only store that was closed on our quest for last-minute holiday sales was the Christian book store. The rest of the retail heaven greeted us with an extra 4 hours of open doors.

Fifty dollar off deals at Best Buy, an extra ten percent off at Macy’s and a $10 off coupon at Kohls were just a few of the deals my mom and I ran into on our endeavor. Many other shoppers decided to take advantage of the wonderful sales on their day off from work or school. Many of the stores were crowded and the traffic down the main road was a little unbearable to say the least. After gobbling up our new merchandise at some of our favorite retailers, mom and I headed back to our humble abode to flaunt our new purchases to my dad, who really could care less.

Although my new purchases excited me more than anything did, I got to thinking on my long drive back to school. I find myself so irked at Christmastime because of the hustle and bustle and commercialization of a holiday celebrated because of our Lord, Jesus Christ’s birth. I find that at a time when people are supposed to be loving, considerate and giving, they’re the most selfish and sinful. Although gifts are not exchanged for Memorial Day, many Americans find their celebrations not at the foot of a gravesite of a fallen soldier but at the mercy of corporate America, myself included.

Perhaps corporate America has tightened its reins just a bit much. Come on, America, let’s stop being so American and celebrate America.