What does Memorial Day mean to you? Is it putting out your flag because that’s what everyone does? Is it barbequing with friends and having an extra day off? Is it swimming in the pool or taking your first vacation of the year?
Often we get caught up in taking holiday breaks and we often forget what the holiday is all about. There are several holidays throughout the year that I could care less about but Memorial Day and Veterans Day are definitely two that I think we need to remember for more than just spending time with friends and family.
So what does Memorial Day mean to me?
Memorial Day is a day when I can remember all of the many blessings that have been poured down on me by God that have been protected by countless deaths of our armed forces. Today I remember all of the fallen heroes and their families that have sacrificed so much for me to do what I do each and every day.
Most of us cannot even begin to understand what it takes to be one of those heroes. I am not sure that I could be one. It takes a special person. It takes a person willing to die for his or her country. We cannot fathom what those fallen heroes went through in their sacrifice for us. It’s not just a movie or a story. It’s something that really happened to each of our fallen.
Memorial Day is a day where a hero somewhere fought for our freedoms…fought to preserve our God-given blessings and never came home to be able to enjoy those freedoms themselves.
Memorial Day is also a day when we MUST remember that our freedom isn’t free. It came and continues to come at a high price. The price is the blood of our fallen, the blood of our heroes.
But this Memorial Day let’s not forget the families of our fallen. Also, let us not forget the heroes who did come back but maybe with limbs missing or scars on their bodies or scars they hold deep inside.
And let us not forget the heroes who continue to fight for our freedoms heroically each and every day!
If Memorial Day has been a day off for you or a day to get together with friends and family, that’s great! That is what our fallen have fought for. But fly your flag proudly and know why you are doing it. Also, remember that the fun you experience on Memorial Day comes at a price! Let’s appreciate that price! Let’s remember our armed forces and show them our love for them and for our great Country that they gave so much to protect!