Saturday, May 24, 2008

Honoring Our Heroes This Memorial Day

Throughout our history, we have been blessed by the courage and commitment of Americans who were willing to pay the price of their tomorrows. They have fought and died for our freedom and have kept us sleeping secure each night in safety. Every one of them, from all different backgrounds, races and religions, no matter what battlefield they died on, every one, helped to build this strong nation we love. I'm proud to be an American and I don't take my freedom for granted.

The great German poet, Goethe, said to his generation:

"What you have inherited from your fathers, earn over again for yourselves or it will not be yours."

We inherited freedom. We seem unaware that freedom has to be remade and re-earned in each generation of man.

As you spend this Memorial Day weekend with your family and friends remember those who have come before you paving the way for the freedoms you enjoy.

Remember that Memorial Day isn't about getting a day off. It isn't about barbeques either. Memorial Day is a time to pause for a moment of respectful silence and reflect on those who have died in the service of our great nation.

It's a sacred day to all war veterans. No one who has served needs to be reminded of the reason why Memorial Day must be commemorated. But what about the general public, and more importantly, future generations? Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of Memorial Day? What does Memorial Day mean to you?

You don't have to be a veteran to show proper respect and give thanks on Memorial Day. Far too often, our nation as a whole takes for granted the freedoms we, as Americans, enjoy. I'm thankful for the rights that I have been given. I appreciate the freedoms that have been handed to me.

Freedoms. Freedoms, that were paid for with the lives of others that few of us actually knew. That's why they are all collectively remembered on one special day.

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance.

America's collective consciousness demands that all citizens be aware of and take a moment to reflect on our fellow countrymen who died during wartime to give us the freedoms we enjoy. I believe it is our civic obligation. For this is a national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. Americans like you and me.

Remember, by honoring our nation's fallen heroes, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice.

Check out what others are saying this Memorial Day over at Domestic Divapalooza !

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1 comment:

eMOM said...

Please feel free to add your thoughts and comments and what you'll be doing this Memorial Weekend.