Memorial Day

    

In this country we have two days set aside for those that served this country in uniform. On November 11 each year veterans are honored. Those are the ones that served. Not just in the current wars but in all wars. On the final Monday of May we celebrate those that made the ultimate sacrifice by honoring them with Memorial Day.

Originally, it started following the Civil War to honor those from both the north and the south. Later it was expanded to honor all who gave their lives in defense of this country including previous wars. This includes the Revolutionary War, to the Indian Wars, War of 1812, Mexican American War, Civil War, more Indian Wars, Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, and in the past twenty years the war on terrorism.

Those that serve and have served are usually still just kids. Eighteen, nineteen year old kids. Going back to the Revolutionary War, some were as young as eight years old.

This country was founded by men and women that were overburdened with taxes where they had no say in what they’d pay. They had no representation. They banded together, organized and fought for freedom from leaders across an ocean. That may not seem significant now that we can travel in a matter of hours and be in London or Paris. But at that time it would take months to get there.

To fight for this freedom created by the great thinkers of that time the soldier was called upon. Since then, kids from all parts of this country have joined the military to protect our borders and to protect our interests and to advance Democracy where tyranny reigned.

Our freedoms that were fought for, protected and preserved by our military and many have died fighting for this country, its’ beliefs and ideals. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…”

It’s a Right created by God for us to worship freely as we choose and to even not worship if we choose. That Right is protected and preserved by our military. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly, The Right to Bear Arms, Freedom of the Press, all of these are considered unalienable Rights endowed by God. But they are all protected by our military.

When the people of California and Texas wanted to away from Mexico and part of the United States, it was the military that laid their lives on the line for their freedom. When the Indians attacked settlements it was the military that fought to protect the settlers.

When Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, it was the soldier that beat them back and defeated Hitler. When North Korea invaded South Korea, it was the soldier that fought for our interests and the South Koreans. The same with Vietnam.

When terrorists attacked us and killed nearly 3,000 citizens that weren’t military, it was the military that went to the terrorists to try to protect this country from future attacks.

From the first shot of the American Revolution in 1775 to today, the American people have lost nearly 1,500,000 soldiers in the creation and defense of this country and our interests.

So while we’re grilling our steaks, having our picnics and officially kicking off summer we should remember that we’re able to do that because many men, women and children have sacrificed their lives not just for our ability to have that cookout, but also that we’re able to assemble friends to the cookout and we’re able to protect our guests from those that would try to harm us, and that we can thank God or not thank God for the meal and that we can talk freely while at the cookout.

You’re welcome to comment.

Brett