Memorial Day

Taking a few minutes today to think about Memorial Day.  While "all gave some and some gave all", a big thanks goes out to all who have served our country.  As the "Army tweet that backfired" confirmed, Memorial Day remembers those who have died in service to our country however many people who served our country are still alive yet war took a part of them that will never be recovered and in many cases, pushed them to ultimately end their lives.  War is Hell, obviously, and now we have two generations of kids (Gen Y and Gen Z) who have never known the US to not be at war.  Here's hoping we can move towards a more diplomatic approach to keeping peace in the world and a less eager approach to sending our young people around the world to fight and die in order to keep the military industrial complex humming along.

On Memorial Day

Memorial Day is the day set aside to remember those who have died while serving in the US military (not to be confused with Armed Forces Day or Veteran's Day which celebrates those currently serving and all US military members respectively).  While most people think of this day as a happy day--picnics, boating, BBQs, the first day of camping season--for the loved ones of the nearly 570,000 people who died during WW2 until today, it is a sad day of remembrance.  'Thank you for trading your life for our freedom' doesn't do justice to the huge sacrifice made by all of these military members and their families, but without their sacrifice we wouldn't have the country we have today.  To the family and friends of those who have died in service to our country, we appreciate your sacrifice more than can be said.

Memorial Day

Please take a minute today to remember all of those who have served our country.  Whether fighting in Vietnam or Iraq, serving as a gunner a SEAL or a WAC, all of these people have helped (and given their lives, part of their souls, etc) to give you the freedom to live in one of the best countries in the world.  If you have more than a few minutes, consider doing these things:

• Attend a Memorial Day service (most military graveyards have these going on today)
• Thank a veteran for their service
• Watch a military-related movie (Blackhawk Down, the Hurt Locker, or one of my favorites, the Fighting Sullivans)
• Check out this movie about the Navy SEALs on PBS

And for those of you who have served, a hearty "Thank you for your service!" from CNI.

Memorial Day

A heartfelt thanks to all of those who have served to protect our country on this Memorial Day.

Celebrating Memorial Day? Here's Some Ideas

Tomorrow, May 28th, is Memorial Day.  It is a day to remember all of those who have served and died defending our country.  Here's some ways to celebrate this important event:

• Attend a Memorial Day event (such as a local parade, ceremony, etc).
• Visit a military cemetery.
• Visit a military memorial (such as the Arizona Memorial, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, etc).
• Thank a veteran.
• Fly the US flag at your home.
• Visit a VFW Hall.
• Visit veterans in your local veteran's retirement home/hospital.
• Observe the 'National Moment of Remembrance' at 3pm local time.
• Donate or volunteer to help veterans (through the DAV, Wounded Warrior Project, etc).
• Watch a Memorial Day-related show on TV (for example, I learned all about the midget subs used during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Nova this morning, something I didn't know).
• Make up your own way to honor the people who gave their lives so that we can enjoy freedom. 

Memorial Day Inspiration

When I see these young kids coming out of boot camp, I can't help but wonder how on earth they are going to protect us. They are kids after all! Some are barely old enough to shave! They aren't even old enough to drink and someone gave them an M 16??

So on Memorial Day when we are getting all sentimental anyway, I ran across this story http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA041608.01A.Marine.3832796.html and think that if this young guy--22 years old--can fight in Iraq, survive a burn that covered 97% of his body (unheard of in the medical profession), make the rounds in the burn unit to inspire others to keep fighting for their lives, and start a non-profit...well, anything is possible.

We often underestimate the young people in our community. Many parents tend to treat their kids like kids until the grand kids are in college! Of course we want to protect our children no matter how old they are, but the future of our country is in the hands of these young people and they deserve a lot more respect than we often give them. This story renewed my faith in the younger generation--they really can do anything they set their minds to, including protecting the good ole US of A. They are truly amazing!

Check out http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/ to see the others who have died in support of our nation.

A Memorial Day Thank You

I just wanted to say Thank You to all active duty and retired military personnel. The sacrifices these hard working people make on an average day are innumerable. Add to that, risking life and limb when deployed around the world to protect those of us at home and a simple thank you is hardly enough. Even though there is only one day a year set aside to honor you, believe that every person who is enjoying freedom in our country each day has you and those who came before you to thank for it.