Retailers Dishonor Military on Memorial Day

As America pauses to reflect on Memorial Day, the retail and e-commerce industries appear too busy reflecting on how to lure consumers into holiday shopping sprees. But shouldn't retailers be more mindful of the countless sacrifices of the U.S. Armed Forces and the many lives lost over the decades in service to our nation? 

However, the retail sector is sending the wrong message by using revered military holidays simply to boost sales and profits. The true message of Memorial Day is about showing remembrance and gratitude, not greed and profit-mongering. But don't tell that to the retail, e-commerce and advertising industries, which will use any excuse to prostitute profits. Examples include travel deals, mattress discounts and a host of other superficial sales.

But Memorial Day is about remembrance of the many military heroes who gave their lives for their country. So many American soldiers have fought and died on the battlefields of history. But these patriots did not serve and die for their nation so that consumers could pay less at shopping malls, online stores and car dealerships -- especially on the one day of the year honoring their sacrifice.

It is simply distasteful and wrong to flaunt America's love affair with money and materialism at the expense of honoring our fallen heroes on Memorial Day. This goes for consumers too.

Vacuous Values

It's not easy to escape the barrage of Memorial Day mega-advertisements by retailers nationwide. They appear everywhere: on TV, radio, the web and in print media. Do these companies have no shame?

More than one million Americans have died in military service since the Civil War, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Thus, retailers should be more focused on the historic significance of Memorial Day, not on flaunting superficial sales and ringing up cash registers.

In short, it’s troubling that such vacuous values appear more important to some business owners and consumers than the actual meaning of sacred national holidays honoring our military. This sets an especially bad example for our nation’s youth -- Millennials and Gen Z -- who are already obsessed with buying and showing off the latest high-tech smart devices, gadgets and gizmos.

This is arguably occurring to the detriment of America’s fundamental core values represented by military service. These values include honor, respect, self-sacrifice and patriotism.

Retailers: Self-Regulate!

All things considered, would it devastate retailers and advertisers to self-regulate by ignoring the profit motive and paying tribute to America's Armed Forces for just a few days a year? Is that really too much to ask or expect?

Retailers already begin their Memorial Day advertising about a week in advance of the holiday. Ditto for Veterans Day. Therefore, shouldn't the retail industry consider giving consumers a break, while also providing employees the day off to observe and commemorate sacred military holidays?

Our brave military servicemen and women who died for America deserve their rightful respect and recognition on Memorial Day...

And every day of the year.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I'm an independent writer and seasoned strategic communicator based in the Washington, D.C.-area with over 20 years of experience in government, politics, communications, media relations and journalism -- including in the White House and U.S. Congress. 

NOTE: All views and opinions are those of the author only and not official statements or endorsements of any public sector employer, private sector employer, organization or political entity.