Memorial Day 2012

Here in America, we have many reasons to thank our military.
Even those people who seem to not care about the military and what they are doing.
Our freedom is not, nor ever will be, free for the taking.

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While I could write a long rant about what that freedom really means and why many of our politicians (including the man in the White House) are completely undermining it, I will not.
First of all, that would take me all day.
Second of all, that's not what today is about.

So what is today about?

It isn't about enjoying a long weekend.
It isn't about seeing family and friends.
It isn't about spending the day out on a lake.
It isn't about bratwurst and having an awesome cookout.
It isn't about celebrating the beginning of summer.

Memorial Day is about honouring and remembering those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our beloved country.
They gave their lives.
If that isn't worth honouring, I don't know what is.

And while I am all for also thanking our living veterans, please, please, please remember that this isn't their day.
Veteran's Day is in November.
This is Memorial Day.
A memorial is for honouring those who have died, not those who are still living.
So even when you thank our veterans for serving, don't forget that this day is set aside in memoriam of the veterans who are no longer with us.

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Image from theunforgottenamerican.com

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

(Third verse of "America the Beautiful" that is often forgotten.)