Well, it's that time of year again. The one that comes once a month (usually) and occasionally twice (hellooooo December!) That's right...it's holiday time! The time when the majority of people don't even really realize the significance behind the day they're celebrating, they just jump at the the chance to throw a party, eat some amazing food, and consume appropriately themed, festive beverages.
Some holidays are understood more than others. For example, tomorrow is the 4th of July and I think that underneath all of the denim and the 'Amurrica!' chants, for the most part, people have a pretty good idea why we celebrate. We celebrate the brave men who fought for our independence from England. We celebrate the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere...even though it actually happened in April of 1775. But who doesn't enjoy having their friend dress up in British garb and arrive to your destination late just so you can yell "The Redcoats are coming! The Redcoats are coming!" to fellow patrons? What? Just us? Oh, okay.
But let me call to your attention not so much a holiday, but an anniversary that occured yesterday, July 2nd: the 75th anniversary of the 24 hour guard around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetary. You can read more about the Tomb here but basically it's a tribute monument to all of the soldiers who died fighting for our country that were never found or identified. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter what the weather or temperature, the tomb is guarded by a small group of elite soldiers. In my reading I found that less than 20% of the guards who volunteer for training are accepted, and only a fraction of that actually get the post...wow! This is definitely a place I want to visit that is on my bucket list. I think the 'walking the mat' is so intereseting. The guard takes 21 steps (based on the 21 Gun Salute, one of the highest honors bestowed on a soldier) , with his gun on the shoulder facing away from the tomb. On the 21st step he/she faces the tomb for 21 seconds, and then repeats the sequence over and over, until their 1 or 2 hour shift is over. I love the reverence they give to the Tomb...as they should.
Other holidays, however, don't seem to have much more significance, other than to party. St. Patrick's Day, for example. I know the story behind the holiday, but do we really celebrate that in America? No, we're more concerned with avoiding being pinched by our peers...unless those peers happen to be Irish. Then, more than likely, they are wearing a 'Kiss Me, I'm Irish!' shirt and they get kissed instead of scolded. I suppose I should be more supportive of this holiday, since it's one of the few times redheads are celebrated. I guess it's because someone told me this year that with my red hair, and because I'm so short, I could be a leprechaun. Yeah, that took away some of the luster of St. Patrick's Day.
Onto Cinco de Mayo. Um, has anyone ever actually checked when Mexican Independence Day really is?...yeah, it's September 16th. And they call it 'Caso Bonito' or 'Dieciséis'. No Cinco or De Mayo anywhere in there. So everyone is drinking fishbowl margaritas and slamming back tequila shots on the wrong day. I am sure people wouldn't object if the real day became as popular as the fake one. And plus, that would add another holiday in September besides Labor Day! Why hasn't this happened yet?!?!
Other holidays that I have been to themed parties for are Flag Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day. What? Are you telling me you've never had Nina Tonics, Pinta Coladas and Sangria Maria on Columbus Day in celebration of the Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria? Or is that just telling me my friends are more fun than yours...probably the latter.
So, fellow Americans, break out the cowboy boots, wave your plastic flags, and sing Toby Keith songs all day in celebration of the greatest country there ever was or ever will be (anyone else get that Game of Thrones reference? Anyone?) and celebrate responsibly.
Remember, you have to work on the 5th.
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
A: My birthday.
Q: What is your least favorite holiday?
A: Thanksgiving. I hate all of the food.
Q: What holiday should they invent?
A: I'm pretty sure Zach Morris's birthday should be at least a half day at work.
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