What Memorial Day Means to Me

I'm writing this on the Friday before Memorial Day. Sitting here at a local Starbucks in South Burlington, Vermont, I see a beautiful flag waving in the wind. I can't help but stare at it and reflect on everything wonderful about America.

One of the things that drives me insane about this "holiday" is not on the lack of understanding about what it really is, but on those who recall it as a "Happy" day. Folks, it's not.

I admit, before I was married to an active duty soldier, I proclaimed "Happy Memorial Day" with the rest of them. The truth is, when you think about it, there isn't anything happy about this day. Not that it should be a day filled with grief and sorrow, but it's a day of reflection.

Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives for our freedoms. It's a day to think about the family and friends who have been left behind in the process. I talked about this subject on my blog last year, and if you want more insight and commentary from others, check it out.

In the few years I've spent in the military community, I've met some incredibly outstanding people. There are still many whom I haven't met, but consider to be some of my most inspiring friends. They are a mix of active duty spouses, wounded warrior wives, and gold star families. They've all opened my eyes to more, to men and women they know who have been affected by the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Take a few minutes to peek around Facebook, the blog-o-sphere, or even the web, and you'll find families who have suffered such an astounding loss and continue to go on with courage. Something most of us cannot imagine.

This Memorial Day, I hope you all take a moment to reflect on what today really means. To do something to honor those who are no longer with us and to support those who have been left behind.

I am truly thankful for every single service member who has laid down their lives in the line of duty. I am thankful for the families who have raised and supported their children to be of such strong character that they would risk their lives for mine. Today, though I will be meandering around Montreal, I will be carrying the thoughts of all those who have gone before with me.

Always thankful.

I stumbled across this image that was just simply astounding to me and wanted to share it with you guys. Words just can't...

{Source: http://www.poyi.org/63/11/01.php}