Today is May 26, 2014, Memorial Day. So often we see this day as something it is not. A free day from work, another three day weekend, or more recently an overly commercialized day used to promote products we do not need but are forced to feel inclined to buy. As someone who served in the United States Military I can tell you that today means the world to us, sure we remember our fallen fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, friends and comrades every day. Today is special because it is truly a day to sit back and evaluate your own freedoms, and realize the selflessness and sacrifice that allow you to have them. I personally have met and am honored to call friend to some of these people who are no longer here, I cherish this day for them. Regardless of what I am feeling or going through I cannot help but wonder how their families are celebrating today. I've walked through Arlington National Cemetery, I’ve watched the visitors search for friends and loved ones, and I’ve seen the emotion overtake them to the point of collapse. I know it is easier for us to focus our energies to other things today, Barbeques, picnics, and shopping, but what today is really about is those men and women who paid the ultimate price for your very ability to do whatever it is you plan on doing today. Trust me when I say they would want you to enjoy this day, they would want for you to gather with friends and family, share stories about your current life. Have drinks with friends and laugh and support one another. They would want you to do these things because that is exactly what they would be doing if they were still here today. These soldiers, seamen, airmen, and marines were people; they had the same hopes, goals, and dreams that a lot of us had. So knowing that we are achieving them or working towards them would make them happy in knowing their sacrifice did not go wasted. Today is Memorial Day; a day to remember. So go to your barbeque, picnic or gathering, eat drink and be merry. Just take one minute out of the eighty six thousand four hundred minutes in today to say thank you. Acknowledge that your freedom was not free, that it was paid for by the lives, the blood, sweat and tears of people just like you. Not all of us have that ability to selflessly sacrifice, so let's honor those that did. Leave a Reply. |
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