(S8) - PT 2 - Memorial Day

[JKortesi81]

Memorial Day is still a bit new to Carlito Crush. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, we obviously didn’t celebrate or mourn the lives of countless American soldiers that paid the ultimate price. In fact, when I moved here from the island to go play football at Ohio State, I didn’t even realize what people were talking about for two years. Finally a teammate of mine explained it when he invited me over his mom’s house for the family barbecue. I took the time to really read into Memorial Day, to learn what it was all about. It seems, to me, that Americans tend to forget why they have that day off and just see it as and excuse to party. It’s a bit sad, but people nowadays are looking for an escape from every day life, and a national holiday provides it. As for me, I don’t really do much. I still don’t have family here, so I don’t really have a place to party. This Memorial Day, I went to the gym, and as I was lifting weights I was reflecting on how I could be a better person to help others. It’s not quite the same as how these men and women gave their lives, but self-reflection can only help a person. (215)