Memorial Day

A weekend for many, that just means an extra day off and some family fun at the lake, the campground, or even the backyard. But for the families that have family members or close friends that have passed, who served in the military, especially those lost in wars, it means a great deal more. I was in the military for eight years. I’m not one of those that wears a hat showing the group, squadron, ship, or battalion they served in, but I respect those that do. They are obviously very proud of their service and secretly love when people thank them for their service. For many of us, it’s awkward having someone say this to us, not for the fact that they are thanking us, but more about how am I supposed to respond? Do I simply say thank you? Do I say thank you and ask if they served as well? I’m sure I’ve stumbled many times in response and walked away feeling the awkwardness and five minutes later thinking of the perfect response only to know the moment is gone. I think that I’ll remember for the next time, but I never do. For me, this weekend is remembering that eighteen-year-old kid leaving home, venturing into a world unknown to me and marveling at the transformation in myself shortly after basic training from a kid to a man with adult thoughts. The career I spent in the government for the next thirty-eight years of military and civil service and thinking about how much I did for this country. Not once have I asked for anything from anyone to compensate me for this service. Just realizing my own pride in myself.

I’m also reminded of the men and women that continue to suck this country dry for fabricated illnesses or conditions and bleeding the coffers of the VA dry in an effort to feel good that they were owed something more than their pay received while serving. But I also know there are legitimate ones that should receive more than they do and there are many that would never ask for more because they know there are members that truly deserve our sustenance for the rest of their life. I’m reminded that not everyone honors the tradition of thankless service. Sadly, these folks exist and I just hope they are but a small percentage of the millions that have served this country in military service and then went on to serve this country through small and large business ownership, government service, or the many other careers that provide for the prosperity of this country. I have the utmost respect for them. To the many in our federal government now, they are a disgrace daily, but I’m encouraged by the serious military members that speak of the service through this one-man’s war one country after another and those career members of the government serving thanklessly and trying to survive not being fired or forced into retirement by the overzealous bureaucrats in Washington that want us to kiss the ring of a false idol.

I say thank you to the service members that have passed and those still alive to live another day of much deserved appreciation of a job well done. Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your weekend with family and friends you spend it with. You are able to do it because someone sacrificed for your freedom to do so, so please take a moment to thank them in prayer or by simply looking them in the face and saying thank you for your service. We all benefit from what they gave to this country.