Tempus fugit.
Time flies.
And the fact it’s the start of the Memorial Day Weekend 2018 illustrates the truth in that ancient phrase.
While most of us will be enjoying a much-needed break in the action over these next several days, the inexporable truth that thousands of Americans are in active military service throughout the world often gets lost in the swirl of 3-day sales, picnics, and auto races.
Those in service – today and the millions we remember from past conflicts – are fighting for our freedom, our democracy, and our country. It’s notable that we find ourselves in the midst of a debate that argues many of these fundamental precepts. Perhaps many of those who came before us would look at today’s conversation – and often high-pitched discourse – and shrug their shoulders or even sense a feeling of disgust.
While some fundamental questions about who we are and what we believe in are now up for grabs, it doesn’t change the reality that thousands of those in service to our country are making sacrifices every day. Take some time this weekend to consider that lives are on the line all over the globe – today and in the past.
The U.S. Army has an amazing photo page – “See The Army Through Our Lens” – that includes the picture at the top of this post. I encourage you to browse through it during your down time this weekend. Not only are the photos evocative – they’re beautifully shot and are, in fact, worth 1,000 words.
Whether we realize it or not, we have a lot on our plates this weekend. The Washington Post‘s Philip Bump wrote a story last week following the tragic Santa Fe, Texas school shooting.
While there are different ways to calculate it (and Bump takes us through them all), the title of his story says it all:
“2018 has been deadlier for schoolchildren than deployed service members”
We have our differences, to be sure. But one thing we all share are family members who have served in the military, as well as children who are students attending public and private schools. Maybe we have more in common than we think.
No matter where you stand on the complicated issues of the day, it’s a sobering stat to ponder over a weekend where we remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. As a research guy, I often stare at charts and graphs that at first seem unbelievable. As we well know, it’s possible to distort and influence with data, but ultimately, the numbers don’t lie.
Over the years, I have come to value these holidays – July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and of course, Memorial Day – not only as a time to tap the breaks, but to also consider the bigger questions we are forced to ponder, often on a daily basis. In past years, these holidays have come and gone, and we perhaps we’ve taken some of the funadmentals for granted. In 2018, we have a lot to htink about.
Enjoy the weekend, but take that moment to look at some of those bigger picture questions we all share with each passing day.
And we’ll be back with a fresh post Tuesday morning.
Be safe this weekend.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Some stunning, thoughtful photographs, Fred, thank you for sharing the link to those powerful images from the U.S. Army.
And real quick, I had a very busy day yesterday and didn’t have time to drop a note, but I did want to thank you for the wonderful webinar! What a lot of great, interesting, thought-provoking and helpful information. Thank you for taking time to break it all down into such clear, detailed charts and walk us through the info we all need to have on our radar as an industry. The state of radio would seem to be overall well, but with competition and challenges abounding, it’s more important than ever to stay focused on the work before us. Great job!
A good and safe holiday weekend to you and yours.