Memorial Day

Memorial Day means picnics and barbecues. It means watermelon, potato salad, ribs and ice cream cones. Flags on light posts, street signs, doorways and windows. Spending the day outdoors with family. A day off of work. No postal delivery. Golf tournaments and Indy car racing. Memorial Day means summer is here to stay. Yes Memorial Day means all of these things to many people and is often thought of as a light and breezy, carefree holiday. Memorial Day also means to Remember and to Honor and to give Thanks. Memorial Day should bring a pause to everyone's thoughts and to everyone's hearts to remember and appreciate all the soldiers that pledge their lives in devotion and service to our country. James A. Garfield said, "For love of country they accepted death." That sentiment lies inside each and every soldier's heart. They have an absolute love for their country and willingly go to battle for us. We are so lucky that there are so many devoted servicemen and women that would give their lives to protect ours. So thank you. Thank you to all that have served. Thank you for all that serve today. The world is a big and sometimes scary place and our country is so lucky to have selfless soldiers defending our rights and our freedoms. So today while we spend our day off with loved ones, please give a special thanks to all the families that sacrifice their family time together so that our country can be free.
To my daughter who is a midshipman at The United States Naval Academy - I miss you with all my heart and I thank you.
To Jessie who's husband is serving in Afghanistan - thank you.
To my father-in-law who served in the Navy - thank you.
To my very special neighbors that both served to defend our country - thank you.
To all my friends that served - thank you.
To the midshipman at the Naval Academy, to the cadets at West Point, the Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marines - thank you.
To all our soldiers everywhere - thank you.
Your devotion to our safety, our freedom and our country is much appreciated.
"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." ~Joseph Campbell
You are all heroes to me.