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Memorial Day, Ralph Johnson, and the Pandemic
We owe it to them to honor their sacrifice.
Working in Pearl Harbor, I am surrounded by tokens of why Memorial Day is so important. I’m reminded the fallen we commemorate were usually unremarkable people. They came from all walks of life and died while in service to their country. After we hear or learn their history, we realize that not every death was glorious, or even impressive. But these fallen all share the camaraderie of having stepped up, signed up, and taken the same vow taken by those who serve today.
Last week I noticed a visiting ship along the waterfront. The ship, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was a near duplicate of others homeported here. Designed as multi-mission warships, they are manned by a crew of 300 and are just over 500 feet in length. I didn’t recognize the hull number, or the name — Ralph Johnson — painted across the stern. Historic names are the norm for ships, and the names of leaders, or famous battles tumble down through history to us. But this story isn’t about this ship or even this crew. This is about the man that ship is named for, and the ironic timing of this ship’s visit to Pearl Harbor the week before Memorial Day, giving me a renewed focus for the holiday.
Every year, my father reminded us of the meaning of Memorial Day. That might seem natural…
