Memorial Day: A Day of Remembrance

Today was Memorial Day, a day to remember the men and women who have given their lives while in the service of our country's military. As a child my grandfather pressed upon me the importance of the military in our nation's history and with that a respect for all who have served in the military. None who have served our great nation deserve respect more than those who gave their lives while in the service of it's military. Many men and women have given their lives during our country's short history in order to secure our way of life for generations to come.

My grandfather was a proud man who always saw the good in our country and believed wholeheartedly in the ideal that is America. The ideal that all people no matter their gender, race, age, or any other identifying factors are created equal. That each of us has gifts that we can use to better ourselves and the world. That with hard work and determination you can better your place in the world. My grandfather served in World War II, lived thru the depression, fought for everything he had, and was grateful that we live in a country where you had the opportunity to better your lot in life. From him I learned that loyalty to not only your friends but also other Americans was a good trait to have. I learned that honesty might hurt, but that it was always for the best.

Today, on Memorial Day, I found myself saddened by how many people seemed to not grasp it's meaning. Today was a day in which to remember the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in the defense of our great nation. Those who fought and bled and gave their last breath in defense of our country which they held so dear. Thousands of men and women have died in our country's short history to secure the freedoms that we see as self-evident because of the vision of those before us. For our God given rights that were laid our in the Constitution of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So many of my countrymen seem to have forgotten what it means to be American.

America was founded by those who were tired of living under the rules that the rest of the world believed in. We were upstarts for challenging the idea that some people were born better than others and that these people should make all the rules. We fought for and won our independence from the rest of the world. We used ingenuity and hard work to become a world power, but we used that power to do what was right. We fought to help those in need. We fought to help better the world. We fought for the ideal that is America.

Today I saw quite a few putting down that idea as if it was something wrong, something disgusting. I saw people responding to pride in our country with open contempt and hate. They seemed to think that we have no freedom. That we were not free. The United States of America started a new trend that has since spread to other areas of the world. We have had more time to perfect a democratic republic, but we have also had more time to corrupt it.

People seem to forget that in this country the power lies in the people, not in the politicians. We, the people, decide who the politicians are! If you don't like your politician work together with others to see someone else elected or even run for a political office yourself. Our country is run by those who got the popular vote. There is no competency test, no IQ requirement, or anything else standing in your way keeping you from making a difference. The only one keeping you from doing what you want in life is you. The soldiers who have fought and died for this country secured you that opportunity with their sacrifices.

Memorial Day is the day set aside to remember those sacrifices and to than those who gave it gladly for the ideal that is America and for all the generations to come. It is not a day to thank those who currently serve in our military (they have not yet and may not ever give that ultimate sacrifice) nor is it a day to thank those who have served our country in the past and returned alive. To thank veterans or active duty military today cheapens both the sacrifices given and the services provided by our military members today. It is to us like going to a funeral and celebrating a wedding instead. This is for us a day of sorrow and reflection. It is a day to remember the sacrifices that friends, loved ones and even strangers have made to allow us to continue in our way of life, to continue live as we wish, to continue to work towards changing our station in life, to continue pursuing our happiness. Today is a day that all Americans should say thanks those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for those who they have never met, some of whom even rally against their existence. What greater love could someone have for their fellow man than to volunteer to die for them if necessary? What greater love still to actually do it?

To all those who have died in the service of our great nation I give thanks this day. Amen.