Remembering

Though grilling out, swimming in the pool and catching some rays is all well and good, I usually spend at least part of my Memorial day doing exactly what it was named for-- remembering.  

My 5th great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, my grandfathers served in WWII and The Korean War and my brother is a Marine who served in Iraq.  It's been a tradition in my family (started who-knows when) to visit a cemetery every Memorial Day and note, with respect, each military grave there.  We cut fresh flowers from our flower beds at home and bring them along to place on each service members' stone, taking a moment to be thankful for their service and sacrifice.  We don't know these people, but we know that they made a choice that deserves our gratitude.

There is something about walking through a cemetery and reading the headstones that makes you value human life and the individual stories those people had.  It's truly a feeling that I'm sad to say, most people miss on this Holiday-- taking that moment to stand still and remember, even if you didn't know them, the people who placed our freedoms before their own lives.

I hope you all had a happy Memorial Day!  If you didn't get the chance to remember or thank someone yesterday, it's never too late. :)  Those brave men and women deserve so much more than our thanks, I figure it's the least we can do.