The A-List: Memorial Day Edition

Memorial Day was created after the Civil War to honor the dead.  Most of the members of the military I know and have known like, or liked, to have a good time, and I see no harm in honoring the memory of people who have served our country by toasting their bravery in the backyard today.  However,
"It is the responsibility of the living to make meaningful the sacrifices of the dead," wrote Stephen R. Donaldson.  If  you would like to do something more meaningful, there are other things that you can do for Memorial Day.

1. Visit the VA hospital or the nearest nursing home. There are tons of senior citizens, who proudly served our country, who are now sitting in these places.  Go visit them.  You don't have to know them personally to say "Thank you".  

2.  Take care of their families.   Often, after the initial round of phone calls and condolences, the families of soldiers who have died are left alone, isolated in their grief.   Reach out to those families, even if it is just a thank you card. 


3.  Take care of the graves.  The great thing about military cemeteries is that most of them are well cared for.  Weeds are pulled up mercilessly, and the grass is kept well-manicured.  The same cannot be said for all cemeteries, and not all servicemen end up in military cemeteries.   The relatives of the deceased are not always physically capable of taking care of this task themselves, and they will appreciate the help.

4.  Donate money.   There are organizations that were created to help get wounded soldiers back on their feet, such as the Wounded Warrior Project, or the Fisher House Foundation.   These groups do good work, but good works are often expensive.  Help them out.

5.  Unite.  The politicians have us all polarized, seeming to be on opposite sides of...what?  I can never figure that out with all the yelling and name calling. We are all Americans, no matter our differences, and military service is honorable no matter who serves.  Maybe if we remembered that on the other days of the year?

I hope that everyone has a safe Memorial Day, whatever you are doing today!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Most people see this day as a day off, a chance to kick back, pound a couple of cold ones, and throw cow parts on the grill. Still other people see today as the beginning of summer, and tourists are flocking to rivers and water parks to soak up some sun(wear sunscreen!).

There is no holiday like Memorial Day. This day is to honor the people who died to protect that which we hold dear, our liberties. We in this country have the right to pursue happiness because soldiers protect that right. We are able to kick back with beer and cow parts and float down a cool river because of those soldiers.

My father served in the Army for 28 years. He went to Viet Nam. My father-in-law, who recently passed away, served in the Pacific during WWII. I have uncles and cousins and second cousins and some third cousins who have served in the military, past and present. Almost everyone I know is either in the military, going into the military, or related to someone in the military.

Whether you like it or not, soldiers are vital to our identity as a country. We are the country we are because those soldiers are/were willing to die to make it so.

Today, before you toss back those beers, stop and think about those people who have died protecting your right to stand next to your grill.

Don't forget.