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I am moved to write a little something for those of you observing Memorial Day.
For many, the day is spent watching the Indy 500, barbequing, or enjoying a 3-day weekend. It may be a day that marks the beginning of summer vacation or a day that will be spent at the beach to watch an aerial demonstration team. It might even just be another day on the calendar that is as meaningless as the day before or the day after.
For others, for those who actually recognize what the day is intended for, it marks the one somber day out of the year where we should acknowledge the sacrifices and memories of those who have paid the ultimate price for our country in defense of our freedoms.
Unlike Veterans Day, a day where we honor both the living and deceased members of our armed services, on Memorial Day we honor and remember the heroes and heroines that laid down their lives in conflicts in Iraq, Korea, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Somalia, Grenada, WWI, WWII, and numerous other conflicts as well as those who paid the ultimate price outside of war such as the Marines in the Beirut barracks, those killed in the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks, those killed on the USS Cole, and those who laid down their lives protecting their comrades like LT Michael Murphy (SEAL) and MA2 Michael Monsoor (SEAL). The list goes on and on, just as their collective legacy of bravery and selflessness does.
I hope that each and every one of you takes a moment of pause on Memorial Day to give private thanks to those who have died in defense of America, as well as for our fallen allies who have died in the course of defending our nation. When you are sitting there eating that burger or drinking a beer and enjoying your day, make sure you have one for our fallen brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice who cannot be with us to have one themselves.
/salute
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