Memorial Day (What Does it Mean to You)

You know when I was a kid I was guilty of looking upon Memorial Day as a day of not having to be in school, or later before I was drafted as a day off of work.

Then after being drafted and after going through my first Memorial Day while in uniform, it changed the way I looked at this day for the rest of my life and I made sure from that day forward that my young soldiers and children understand that it was more than a day off.

I have been blessed to have made it through conflicts and wars. I have been blessed that I was able to return home to my loved ones in one piece. But I have lost friends and soldiers in time of conflict and it is never easy losing either. It is never easy going to their homes and looking their loved ones in the eyes and telling them why their, then dad, mother, son, brother, sister, uncle, husband, fiancé, or cousin what the cause and reason was. Their lives are changed forever! Anyone who has not lost a loved one to war may not be able to fully understand. But look upon this day not simply as a day off, but a day where someone died for your freedom, they made the ultimate sacrifice for us all!

So true, Nate! Amen ...