This morning I am overwhelmed with thought as I enjoy a cup of overpriced coffee in the safe confines of my local Starbucks. My thoughts are on Memorial Day. I am thinking of the many men and woman who have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives so that I could do the simple things that are so often overlooked…like…enjoying freedom.
Last night at the Jacksonville Suns baseball game…I stood and watched as an organization honored a beautiful family that had lost their husband and father while serving on active duty in the US Navy. Everyone in the ball park stood and cheered for this beautiful family as the announcer shared about how their loved one lost his life while serving this country in Afghanistan. We stood and cheered for several minutes…we were remembering…and honoring this fallen sailor.
This man gave…he is one of many who paid for our freedom by giving his life. I am certain that over the coming years his family will always remember the sacrifice that he made. They will remember this by seeing the empty chair at the dinner table, the absence of a dad at a little league game, the missing father at a wedding…
But what about us…will we remember next week, this fall…will we remember?
We should remember, it is easy to stand and cheer for a family. This simple action really cost us nothing even though I am certain the family that received the honor will remember thousands of people standing and cheering for them. But is this enough? When you think about it…it pales in comparison to what this family has given.
We need to do more, we need to remember. There have been so many men and woman, that have given their lives on battlefields all over the globe so that we can enjoy and exercise the freedom that our constitution gives us. Think about how many families who have lost.
Let us remember…lets remember those who have spilled their blood…those who lost the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures that our great nation offers. Let us remember…and be thankful…
We should remember. Memorial Day is not a day for honoring Veterans. I am a veteran…I proudly served our flag and wore the uniform of my country and service. But today is not about my service to our great country. It is about men and women…it is about families who have suffered such a great loss. It is a loss that will greatly affect the rest of their lives. So today, remember the fallen. Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who have lost their lives. Let us also remember our police officers and firefighters who have lost their lives while serving…
We thank you…and we remember…
