Memorial Day isn't just a three-day weekend. It's also an important day for honoring the men and women who served in the military. Some may argue it's the same as Veterans Day only set earlier in the year. While the two days are quite similar, the main difference is that Veterans Day honors all people who served in the military and Memorial Day is for remembering those who gave their lives for their country. Quite obviously, the Animalia virus can't bring back the dead, but there is still a discount for conversions on Memorial Day weekend for veterans. And there were plenty of veterans who want to heal from the physical and mental scars they've gotten in the line of duty.
But this year, a new line of debate has rose up. Several of the arriving Ukrainian and Russian refugees had been part of the armed services of their respective countries at one point. So there was a question if they counted for the veterans' discount as well. Would it only count if they were wars that America has fought in? There was some argument against supporting this. If the veterans could come from any country, there would be too many to keep a discount over. Other countries didn't celebrate Memorial Day. Any federal holidays they had like would are more often celebrated at a different time. And then there was a question as to what qualified as a war veteran in particular cases.
That last question become more prevalent in Maelewano. Many of the people who have moved to Maelewano were refugees who were forced to flee because of insurgencies and 'private wars', of which there have been so many it was hard to keep track of. Plenty of them were less accepting if veterans of these conflicts should be allowed a discount or be allowed to convert at all. Especially if these veterans were PMCs or part of the armies that tried to repress the public. The many countries of Africa were known to experience civil unrest in one form or another. Of course, with the Rhino Guard, it was unlikely that anyone would be trying to start any trouble.
Speaking of Maelewano, some new animals will be arriving that will definitely bring something new to the colony. Africa has two native wolf species, the endangered Ethiopian wolf and the African golden wolf which had been formerly known as the African golden jackal. They never appear in the southern half of Africa. But in South Africa, there were several wolves who originally descended from North American timber wolves that were shipped there in the 1970's to be crossbred with German Shepherds and other such dogs to produce a powerful, fear-inspiring crowd control dog. Obviously that plan fell through and most of the wolves ended up in zoos or private hands. Sanctuaries were formed to give these wolves, who can never be sent back to North America, a safe home. And now some of these wolves were being flown up to Maelewano for uplifting and hopefully find a place there.
Speaking of wolves, after so many years of dating, Abbas finally agreed to marry his girlfriend, Xochitl. He had held back partially out of respect for his people's customs regarding courtship, particularly with non-Muslims. And part of it was he wasn't sure that an Egyptian jackal and a Mexican Hairless Dog were closely enough related to not violate Animalia's crossbreeding edict. However, a wolf was considered a far closer relation than a jackal. Xochi is particularly thrilled to finally have the wedding she had been waiting years for.