by Stephen D. Wilson

Created on: May 21, 2008

Long ago, a political genius had the idea to honor our fallen Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines. This laudable goal, one that most veterans and their families take to heart, is now nothing more than a sale at the department store, the opening of the local swimming pool. WE should all be ashamed, we Americans that have spilled blood, cried over the graves of countless young men and women have dared to reduce their sacrifice to a sale and a picnic. Mothers will never hold their sons, Wives will never kiss their husbands weathered face, sons and daughters will not be able to held high and tickled in that special way Daddy always tickled you. But hey, those new pants are 50% off. This not what Memorial Day was to be, as with most "holidays" we, Americans mostly, change it into a kick off day.

What is forgotten are the lives of men and women that fought for you, they didn't know you, chances are you weren't born yet, but they fought for you. They made it so our leaders could stand up and say "In America we are a free and just people. We live our lives in accordance to our makers wish, by laws that govern all equally." I guess I should not be surprised, we all pray for that dollar, to have one more, stores need to entice you into their places to spend your money. All of this electronic advancement, all of the knowledgeable Sooth Sayers that have a captive audience compel us to forget about the past, forget that I had two grandfathers held as P.O.W.'s in World War 2, one by the Japanese and the other by the Nazis. Every May those two brave survivors would meet and take me by the hand and walk me to the grave stones of their friends, their comrades in arms. They would tell me stories of how each had died, but more than that, how each had lived and how proud they were to be Americans. With all of those good Grandfathers gone from my life, I have to ask what would they think of the pettiness, the rudeness, the senseless crime? What would they see? Would they see the country they almost died for and a world that countless have died for. Would they care that we seem to barley be able to take the time to put flags up and honor the fallen? I know what my answer is, and it is a personal answer to me. If you read this, if you are able to spend just a small moment pondering, ask yourself, be honest with your answers.

Let us Please use Memorial Day as it was intended, a day of remembrance and of reverence to those that sacrificed all for our freedom and a hopeful prayer to those that are serving now. Come home, as safe as you can, as soon as you can. We miss you all so very much. Let us hold those who have been personally forever changed in protecting our freedom, gently in our hearts with unlimited pride.

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