“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s
friends.”
Memorial (/me’moreel/)
– Something, especially a structure, established to remind people of a person
or event; intended to commemorate someone or something.
My family background is one painted with the colors red,
white, and blue. You see, my genes share similar code with men and women whom
all adorned the uniform of servant-hood and embraced the military lifestyle. In
my family tree, there is at least one person who is or has served in every
generation. I grew up hopping between air force bases like bugs bunny hopped
through outfits. I had parents go over seas to aid in war, I’ve seen a folded
flag at a military funeral, and I was on a base when 9/11 happened. If I could
describe the controlled chaos that followed the two planes crashing into the
twin tours I would. Unfortunately, all I can remember is the sound of jets
scrambling and soldiers marching.
At this very moment, my younger brother is running around in
San Diego California with a buzz cut and some olive green clothes. His heart pumps with the thud of “Semper Fi” now. He is a marine, and he is proud of it.
I’m proud of him too.
Before my course trekked to where it is now, I too aspired
to follow my genealogy of volunteer hero’s. I had mailed in my application to
go to the Air Force Academy, and I was eager to play football as a falcon.
However, a change in heart swayed me down the God blessed path that I have now.
I don’t regret that the highest rank I’ve ever achieved is a First Class Boy
scout, but if I had too, I believe the patriotic blood that flows through me
would push me to serve my country.
Like me, you probably don’t serve in the military. Also like
me, you probably have close military friends. One of my best friends went to
the Air Force Academy and is now training to fly F-16s. He followed through in
an area that I found a change in calling – and for that we should all salute
him.
Both my mother and father gave years of their lives to the
red white and blue. Both of my grandfathers did too. Like I mentioned before,
my family history is under the shade of ‘Ol Glory.
It’s people like them who deserve a salute on the 26th
of May, 2014. Forget a hot grill and cold drinks. Forget the lake and new
boats. Forget all the luxuries that we wouldn’t have without the blood of other
men. Memorial Day is about remembering for those who paid the ultimate price, and gave up the right to remember. It
is about the red soaked fields, the dreaded letters home, and the widowed and
orphaned.
War is nothing to celebrate; it is something to reflect on.
Those who run towards bullets should never be demonized, no matter their character.
They are the sacrificing few, for the gluttonous many. So on this day, say your
pledge of allegiance, thank a soldier, and praise God that you live in the land
of the free.
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