Hi everyone; today is Thursday, May 21. (Click here for podcast.)
We have two additional positive cases of COVID-19 to report since my last podcast on Tuesday. The first individual works in department 701 at the Subase in Building 518. This person was tested on May 15, and their last day of work was May 12. The second individual works in department 252 located in the basin at Graving Dock 2 here in Groton. This employee was tested on May 17, which was also their last day at work. In both cases, these individuals contracted the disease from spouses who had fallen ill from COVID.
As we move into the holiday weekend, I’d like to share a few reflections about Memorial Day. Since the founding of our nation, more than 1.1 million Americans have given their lives in the cause of freedom. Almost half a million died during the Civil War alone, which meant nearly every family at that time was touched by loss. In response, those loved ones honored the sacrifices of their fallen by spending one day a year decorating their graves; May was chosen to take advantage of flowers in bloom. “Decoration Day” later evolved to become the federal holiday of Memorial Day, and it honors all who have fallen in the line of duty to our country.
We Americans traditionally observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. We honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we may have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in our Declaration of Independence. Memorial Day also honors the spirit and richness of American life through celebrations and other activities that mark the unofficial start of summer.
This year is different.
Due to COVID-19, our long-standing community parades have been cancelled. Arlington National Cemetery is open only to those families who have loved ones laid to rest there. There may be gatherings, but they will be small, and I trust that all of our friends and family will be practicing safe behaviors. We’ll be forgoing what we want to do, what we normally do, as individuals, for the good of our neighbors and communities. To my mind, that’s a clear demonstration of American values and completely consistent with our own Core Value of Valuing Each Other.
For those of us who are fortunate to have our livelihoods and our health, the impacts from COVID so far are minimal, along the lines of discomforts and inconveniences. Others have had to make greater sacrifices to this disease, economically or by losing loved ones. My hope is that we have moved through the worst of this pandemic, and with our increasing understanding of the disease and its spread, we’ll manage through and recover life as much as possible as we know it.
So while there are Memorial Day activities we’ll miss this year, there is something you can do to pay your respects. On Monday at 3:00 p.m., please join me and take part in our country’s National Moment of Remembrance and pause for one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States.
Thank you for everything that you have done. Please have a safe Memorial Day weekend, and thanks for listening.
Kevin
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