Thoughts On Memorial Day...

In the book of John, Chapter 15, verse 13, the Bible says:  “Greater love hath no man than this - that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Tomorrow is Memorial Day – the day set aside by the federal government to honor our fallen military heroes.  Originally celebrated as “Decoration Day” right after the Civil War, and finalized by law with its current name in 1967, Memorial Day is normally celebrated with the raising and lowering to half-mast of American flags, parades, military rifle salutes, flags and more often than not, veterans from past wars dressed up in their old uniforms. 

I think for me, the latter sometimes has the greater impact on my emotions.  All war veterans are special.  Each and every person living free in the United States today owes that freedom to a military veteran, but even more to a war veteran.  They are the people who literally put their lives on the line for us all.  And to look at the lined but proud faces of the World War II veterans, the Korean War veterans, and the Vietnam War veterans as they stand there in their faded but well cared for uniforms, makes me proud as well.

Not that I’m not just as proud of the veterans from other wars and conflicts.  Don’t misunderstand.  I have nothing but respect for any and all war veterans.  What I mean is – as I look at these old and aging men and women, who are now in the latter years of their lives, I see the pride in their faces and understand the emotion many of them still feel about their service and their country.

There aren’t really too many World War II veterans left these days.  My dad was in the Army during World War II.  He was in his early 20s.  He died last year at the age of 91.  All World War II vets are in their 80s by now.  It won’t be long before they’re all gone – just another part of history.

Most Korean War veterans are proud of their service and of what they did in the war effort.  They were in an unpopular “police action” as well but the American people, at that time, still supported the military.

Vietnam veterans have more reason to be angry at the United States (for the way they were treated during and after the war) than any others.  By the time Vietnam rolled around the attitude of many American people toward the military had changed dramatically.  Soldiers were spit upon and cursed upon their return to the USA.  Yet you’ll find many of these guys still sporting a uniform on Memorial Day and still very proud of their service.  And most of them would stand up today, even in their 60s, to defend our country if necessary.

Today the American people have once again embraced our military.  I’m not sure when it happened - we’ve had several various actions throughout the world since Vietnam: Grenada, the capture of Manuel Noriega in Panama, Somalia, and others I can’t name right this minute.  Then came Iraq and Desert Storm.  Then Operation Iraqi Freedom, and finally Afghanistan, where we have been for a long time anyway.  With every passing year, war coverage became more up-close and personal.  Reporters embedded themselves in with the troops and reported live from the battlefield.  Our wounded warriors, both male and female, came home and were not only embraced but received far more assistance from a caring public than in any other time in history through organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, and others.  It breaks my heart to see these young kids, young warriors, come home with limbs missing or worse, traumatic brain injuries.  But at least there are people trying to do the best they can to help these brave Americans.

Today I want to say a special thank you to those courageous military members who have sacrificed their lives defending our nation (since the revolution), but most specifically those who have affected my life – beginning with World War II.  We are free today because of you.  And your sacrifice does not go unnoticed – at least by many of us.

I want to thank all veterans, past and present, for your service and sacrifice.  We have a day of our own in the fall but thank you anyway.  The old saying “A veteran is someone who, at some point in his/her life, writes a check to ‘The people of the United States of America’ in the amount of ‘Up to and including my life,’” certainly applies to all veterans every day and needs to be recognized as often as possible.

I want to send out one more thank you – on a personal note.  A very special salute and thank you to Marine Corporal Chad Wade, the son of a dear friend of mine who made that ultimate sacrifice on December 1, 2010, in Afghanistan.  Although I never met Chad in person, I know his mother.  Therefore I know his character and his dedication.  Chad returned to a war zone with only 9 months left on his enlistment, and after already having served a tour in Iraq, because he didn’t want his buddies to go back into combat without him.  The Marines didn’t send him – he volunteered.  And sadly, he didn’t make it home alive. 

Happy Memorial Day to all Americans.  If my post today reminds you of nothing else, let it remind you that while you’re grilling steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers in the back yard or the local park, and sharing the food and fun with your families and friends, take a moment to remember those who sacrificed their lives so you could do just that.  Those men and women would want you to celebrate your freedom – because they were proud to go and fight for you to have it.  God bless you all and may God continue to bless the United States of America.