Memorial Day

Memorial Day -- it's sunny and cool outside; a would-be perfect day if the wind weren'tt blowing so hard from the northeast.  At 3PM, all across America, we are asked to stop what we are doing and to spend a moment in silence to honor our military men and women.  Many have given their lives and all have given their time (a definite part of their lives) to protect and serve our country. 

 

Why do they do it?  I'm not sure I understand,  but I believe I would also volunteer to serve.  Could some do it to make a living, or to learn a skill?  to travel? for adventure? to test oneself?  All of these things probably contribute in some way, but the most important may be to protect our country's freedoms.   I also believe that this feeling of patriotism and volunteerism carries over into our every day lives.  It is why people in this country volunteer in all sorts of ways, with all sorts of organizations.  But today we concentrate on the military.

I can only hope and pray that there are enough young people who feel this way every generation.  I hope they don't all wait, like I and others of my generation did, to realize and appreciate what we have here.  No matter what our country of origin, or our grandparents' country of origin, we are all, right this moment, Americans.  Maybe we should all reread the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.  It couldn't hurt. 

 

Having said all of that, have a great Memorial Day!