When reading "Persepolis," particularly the part where the students at school would have to line up twice a day to mourn the war dead by beating their breasts, I was extremely taken aback by the actions they were required to do. However, then I began to think about the war dead that us Americans do not take the time to remember or appreciate on a daily basis. While I believe the beating of the breasts is too harsh of a gesture for the purpose it is to serve, I see the reasons behind such actions.
Americans live such busy lives and are so caught up in their own world to stop and appreciate what the men and women have done who have died for this country monthly or even semi-annually. I admit to this with great embarrassment. I understand that each of us must focus on and give most of our time to jobs, schooling, family and whatever else emcompases our daily lives, but it seems disrespectful that we do not take the time out of schedules to remember and thank those that have fought to give us these things we devote ourselves too. This does not go to say that what these men and women have done outweigh or overshadow the accomplishments we have made as individuals by any means. I just think that it is necessary to occassionally remember the fallen as they have helped provide us with the freedom we have in this country today by thanking them not only when their names appear on the television after they perish, but at least on a monthly basis if not weekly.
I agree that many people are under appreciated in our society, but I think there should be more ways to remember them in a way that people pay attention. The mourning of the dead required by school children was a gesture to show honor and remembrance, but at the same time, it is hard to know if the kids actually understood why they were doing it.
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