Memorial Day halfway across the world

We were recently in Israel when Independence Day celebrations were approaching. The festivities would include fireworks over the Old City in Jerusalem and free open air concerts featuring many of Israel’s top entertainers in the major cities, revelers in the streets like a wholesome Mardi Gras, not to mention private parties going late into the night, the entire country celebrating as one.

But the day before Independence Day, Memorial Day was observed, again the entire people as one in its observation.

Both occasions – In Memoriam and Independence – were regarded as two aspects of...