In the days ahead, flags will be placed in front of gravestones marking the final resting place of veterans of foreign wars across the United States of America, thousands and thousands of flags—too many—moving gently in the breeze as the sun rises and sets on Memorial Day.

If all those stones could talk, I wonder what they’d say?

There would be words of comfort and of love, first of all, to those left behind, to those who wept and weep and mourned and mourn their loss.

Words of solace for those still living in the nation they gave their lives to protect.

Dying for Republicans and Democrats.

Giving their lives for liberals and conservatives.

For moderates and independents.

For the Libertarian, the Constitution and the Green Parties.

The Tea Party and the Peace and Freedom Parties.

For the America First Party and the American Conservative Party.

The Americans Elect Party and the American Populist Party.

The Citizens Party of the United States and the Communist Party USA.

For the Modern Whig Party and the Christian Liberty Party.

The Objectivist and the Justice Parties.

The United States Marijuana Party and the United States Pacifist Party.

And even the Pirate Party.

So, yes, in the days ahead, flags will be placed in front of gravestones marking the final resting place of veterans of foreign wars across the United States of America, thousands and thousands of them moving gently in the breeze as the sun rises and sets on Memorial Day.

If all those stones could talk, I wonder what they’d say?

Being a Republican or Democrat doesn’t really matter.

Neither Libertarian nor Tea Party.

Green, Constitution, Pirate?

Yes, we fought and died so you would have the freedom of political beliefs and expression.

Objectivist? Socialist? Pacifist?

Call yourself what you like.

But don’t forget to call yourself an American.

And, most importantly, don’t forget to call those whose political beliefs are contrary to your own Americans, too.

Because, when the sun rises and sets on Memorial Day, we all are.

—JKW—