Darren Glaude, Seminole County Watch columnist

Somehow, on this Memorial Day, it just seems a bit too ironic.

As we pause to reflect on and honor the lives of those who have perished in battle for our country, it also seems fitting that we ask ourselves why they were fighting.

It is easy to say they died in defense of American values and ideals.  It becomes a bit more difficult when we examine exactly what those values and ideals are.

Regardless of how we may define them, it seems the commonality of all definitions would include the sense and spirit of community that has been uniquely American throughout the entire existence of our nation.

America has given a special definition to the concept of community, and included in it is the underlying belief that we are all in this together, regardless of whatever superficial differences we may have with one another.

In that context, it is fitting that we remember and honor, as on Memorial Day, those who gave their lives in order to better the lives of others.

It is even fitting that we erect momuments and memorials to their honor and others who have died in the course of public service.

But a question arises when we start to weigh the costs of those monuments and memorials in comparison to the needs of Americans who are still alive and in need of the community support that comes from our unique community spirit.

That is why, somehow, on this Memorial Day, it just seems a bit too ironic.

The city of Longwood is in the midst of planning a memorial to fallen civil servants.  It all started when a lobbyist returned from a trip to New York with a piece of debris from the World Trade Center and decided to donate it to the city.

Longwood commissioners picked up on the idea of making the piece part of a monument to memorialize the lives of those who were lost on that tragic day of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as all lives that have been lost by police and fire department personnel in service to their community.

It is an admirable and worthwhile goal, and one that should be pursued.  Yet somehow, it seems, in their zest and zeal to complete the monument in time for dedication this coming Sept. 11, the commissioners have lost the sense and spirit of what they are commemorating.

At the same time that they are dedicating some $30,000 to erect a statue celebrating the American sense and spirit of community, commissioners are balking at spending $45,000 on ADA transportation for members of their community.

ADA transportation is provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act to handicapped persons  who have no other means to transport themselves. 

Longwood city commissioners believe they should not have to help with costs of such transportation for residents.  Instead, they say the county alone should pick up the entire tab.

Somehow, on this Memorial Day, it just seems a bit too ironic. 

Longwood commissioners have unbridled enthusiasm in paying the cost of a monument made of granite and mortar.  They do not hesitate to pay the cost of lifeless materials that have meaning only when imbued with a sense of the value we claim to hold for life. 

Yet when the chance comes to touch an actual life by turning those professed values of community into reality, those same commissioners say it costs too much to do so.

Amazingly, the same thing is happening in Winter Springs.  Commissioners there have dedicated $50,000 towards the costs of erecting a memorial to veterans of military service.  Yet at the same time, they are threatening to withhold entirely some $47,000 that would cover their portion of ADA transportation costs for residents.

Two neighboring cities, both celebrating themselves with declarations of their patriotism and respect for life by erecting monuments in honor of those who have perished while protecting and ensuring the community values that we Americans hold dear.

Two neighboring cities that have no reluctance to spend large sums of money on lifeless materials they allege represent their honor and respect for life.

Two neighboring cities whose leaders feel it is more of a priority to fund honor for fallen heroes of the past than for current members of their community.

Somehow, it seems they are missing the point of their memorials and what they are honoring. 

Somehow, on this Memorial Day, it just seems a bit too ironic.

Email Darren at darrenglaude@seminolecountywatch.com