honoring
May
4
2025
Dave Whamond's cartoon captures Superman filling in for mom on her day off, looking utterly worn out while holding a baby in a mini-Superman outfit, a tray of food, and dragging a broom. The scene, set in a home with smoke from a burnt spot and a child nearby, underscores appreciation for mothers as the real superheroes. Mom lounges with a wine glass and cupcake, smirking at Superman's exhaustion. Tags like Mother's Day, mom is a real superhero, not all superheroes wear capes, children, family, and hard work highlight the tribute to everyday maternal feats over DC's iconic figure.
May
25
2024
John Darkow's 2024 cartoon shows a simple cemetery scene with a prominent gravestone labeled 'FALLEN' and topped with a cross, accompanied by an American flag flown upside down, a signal of distress in flag protocol. Surrounded by green grass, trees, and other headstones, the image carries the caption 'Honoring Those Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice...With Proper Flag Protocol.' This piece uses tags like flag, Stars and Stripes, flag protocol, sacrifice, fallen, and honoring to blend solemn remembrance with a pointed commentary on contemporary flag usage, evoking dry humor in its straightforward depiction of inverted patriotism amid a peaceful backdrop.
May
24
2023
This political cartoon by Christopher Weyant, dated May 24, 2023, features a vast cemetery with rows of white tombstones under a clear sky. Two ornate arches divide the scene: one labeled 'Died Defending Our Freedom' and the other 'Died By Gun Violence For No Reason At All.' A man in a blue suit and a woman in purple hold flowers, standing back-to-back, each facing a side. The red title 'Lest We Forget' looms above. Drawing on Memorial Day themes, the image juxtaposes veterans' sacrifices in war with civilian gun deaths from school shootings and mass shooters. It critiques gun control failures, AR15 proliferation, Congress inaction, and NRA sway, urging remembrance of all needless losses.
May
9
2022
Guy Parsons' cartoon features bold 'Never Forget' text dominating the scene, set against a backdrop of crumbling buildings and overgrown grass. A military helmet rests on a simple cross, symbolizing fallen troops and veteran sacrifice. The patriot theme resonates with freedom and war remembrance, making it a fitting Memorial Day piece. The ruined landscape adds a layer of somber reality to the military tribute, urging viewers to honor those who fought. Tags like trnd, patriot, military, veteran, troops, freedom, war highlight its timely appeal in discussions of national holidays and remembrance.
May
29
2021
Cartoons like this one from John Darkow hit the mark on Memorial Day themes, showing a uniformed man kneeling in grass under a tree, touching a stone marked 'FALLEN' with a cross and an American flag attached. The inscription quotes Harry S. Truman on the unrepayable debt to heroic men and valiant women in service, capturing sacrifice, duty, honoring, remembrance, and mourning. It's a straightforward nod to those in the military who gave everything, without any bells or whistles—just the quiet reality of loss. Tags like trnd fit because these images circulate widely around holidays, reminding folks of the cost behind the barbecues. In the syndication game, pieces evoking pure patriotism without controversy spread easily, blending respect with a touch of solemn humor in the exaggerated features.
Sep
4
2020
In this pointed political cartoon, a high-ranking Army general, adorned with stars and ribbons, leans down to a young boy in a zigzag-patterned yellow shirt, pointing to his medals. The speech bubble reveals the medals were awarded by the president for being a 'loser' and a 'sucker.' Drawing from tags like Donald Trump, military, suckers, losers, casualties, wounded warriors, and The Atlantic, the image skewers reported presidential disdain for service members. The boy's surprised expression contrasts the general's smug grin, emphasizing the irony. Signed by Daryl Cagle, the cartoon captures 2020 tensions around Trump's alleged comments on the dead and memorials.
Apr
29
2016
Dave Granlund's cartoon shows a row of gravestones in a green cemetery, each inscribed with familial terms like mom, mother, nana, mum, grandma, and ma, adorned with potted flowers in vibrant colors. A speech bubble floats above, saying 'ON OUR DAY WE STILL LOVE VISITS...' with pink hearts scattered around, under a tree branch. The image evokes remembrance on mothers day for those passed away, emphasizing visits to graves of died loved ones. Tags like mothers, day, gone, flowers, and missing underscore the theme of honoring the deceased. This straightforward drawing uses simple lines and colors to convey quiet emotion without overstatement, fitting for editorial pages around the holiday.
