There Is No Greater Love Than To Lay Down One's Life For One's Friends

“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 26^th 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.