May 29, 2010

  • Memorial Day

    Growing up Memorial Day was a day that we had off from school, we had a picnic as a whole family together, and we went to the parade in town.  I don't recall being actively taught what the meaning of the day was that's how much impact that it had on me.

    Later on in my life, when I was in college, I met a lady who taught me what Memorial day was all about.  She was confined to a wheel chair because of MS and I used to take her out with me just to get her away from the nursing home that I worked in.  One of those outings was an annual trip to the cemetary to place flowers on the graves of her beloved dead. Then when she was done we would find the graves of fallen soldiers and she would place flowers there and pause to pray for them and for all the young men who had died so that, to quote her, "she could be sitting there honoring them without asking anyones by your leave."

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    Freedom didn't mean a whole lot to me for a lot of my life, after all I was free and really didn't have to think about it personally.  Sure I had read about other countries where feedom wasn't enjoyed and, intellectually I certainly understood what was told to me but there is a difference between intelligence and truly knowing something.

    Then as I got older I gained experience, both my own and through others.  True this experience was minor still compared to the freedoms that others do not enjoy, but I know now what freedom is and I know what it is not and it is something that I treasure.

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    Then four of my sons went into the military.  It was then that I truly learned about freedom and the cost of freedom.  There are those who wear shirts that proclaim, "Freedom is not free!"  There are those who talk righteously about the price that was paid for us to be free and that continues to be paid to keep us free.  They don't know what they are talking about. 

    I would like to postulate a thought:  Indeed the those who fight are the ones who obtain our freedom and maintain that freedom but they are not the only ones.  Truly they pay a price, and perhaps the ultimate price, I am not here to argue that point.  What I would like to put forth is that there are those who are unsung.  On this memorial day remember those who have died, remember those who are fighting, but remember also those who support.  Remember the moms and dads who silently don't know where there son or daughter is or if they will live.  Remember the brothers and sisters who look up to their soldier and sailor sibling and want to be like them some day.  Remember the wife or husband who go on each and every day never knowing if today will be the day that they lose their beloved.  Remember the son and daughter who miss their parent or don't even know them. 

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    Memorial day is for remembering not for eating, drinking, or having a good time.  Don't waste it on yourself, spend it on others.

Comments (2)

  • Amen -- I remember reading about Memorial day when I was young but for the most part we didn't do anything. When I was newly married, I discovered "Bud" and the annual Memorial Day service near our home. I go every year now and honor those who are there and those who have died in service or after having served and returned home. I have been working hard to make sure that my children know what the day is for and that those who serve and their families are the ones who have sacrificed for our right to be free. I have also taught my children to go shake the hand of active duty service men and women and Veterans and say "Thank You for serving our country"

  • EXCELLENT!!!

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