Memorial Day

For most of us, Memorial Day means grilling out with friends and family, going on a camp out, the first dip of the year in the ole swimming hole, or just enjoying a day off. We have forgotten about the men and women who have fought, and sometimes died, so we can have a day of rest.

These people have made the personal decision to protect and defend our nation from all threats, foreign and domestic, to put their very lives on the line, so that others, that they do not even know, can enjoy a barbeque.

We know these people. They are your fathers, and grandfathers. The paper boy. The nice clerk at the grocery store. Your neighbor's kid that used to mow your lawn. The old geezers who sit all day in the coffee shop. And in some cases, our own children.

And it isn't just the Armed Services. It is the police officer who stopped you from speeding so you would not endanger yourself or others. It is the Firemen who saved your next door neighbor from a burning house. It is the Rescue worker who got you out of your wrecked car when someone on their cell phone ran a red light. All of these people put their lives on the line, EVERY SINGLE DAY, so that we all are safe, comfortable, and can live our lives without worry.

When was the last time you thanked a soldier? Or a Police Officer? Or a Park Ranger?

Or even the old geezer at the coffee shop?

This Memorial Day, thank someone who protected you. Remember those who gave everything so we can have our burgers and hot dogs. But most of all, never forget that these people live and die for you. And they should be honored for their sacrifices.Memorial Day

9-11 Remembered

Well, it is 9-11 again. And for some reason, that saddens me. Seven years ago today, some extremist terrorists attacked our country in a way that we could never have imagined. We were, as a nation, horror struck and in shock that this could have happened. And for a few weeks, Americans came together for a common cause in a way that hasn't been seen since Pearl Harbor. We were united in anger, and in sorrow. The nation donated food, water, services, our prayers and our blood to the rescue workers who frantically searched for survivors in the wreckage of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Most of us don't really spend a lot of time thinking about freedom and what it takes to stay that way. Unless you have a friend or family member in the military, it doesn't really touch you any more. We have, more or less, forgotten why there are long lines at airport security. Why we need passports to go to Canada or Mexico. And why our men and women are still serving overseas.

You can complain about the war in the Middle East, or gas prices, or the President, or even the price of eggs, but if you actually stop and think about it, you have the RIGHT to complain because you are Americans. If it were not for the men and women in the service, you would not have that right any more. You have the right to have a car and drive where ever you want to go, you have the right to vote for the President and if you don't like the way he runs the country you can vote for the other person next time, you can go to the local grocery store and buy whatever food you want at just about any time you want. People in other countries do not have that right. And we all take it for granted. We have gotten so used to our rights as Americans, that we don't even think about it any more.

But 2,974 people had to die to remind us that we are free. And why it is important that we are free.