Memorial Day

I just finished reading my sister-in-law’s post. I don’t mean to sound redundant, but I want to say something as well. There’s a simple quote that some people attribute to Winston Churchill, and some attribute to George Orwell:

"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."

It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about World War II or Vietnam, our soldiers are still there willing to defend our lives—unfortunately they don’t always get a say in where they go.

I think nowadays it becomes difficult for people to separate our soldiers from the politics. I have my own opinions on the wars, but this is not a political post. Plus, I’m not supposed to make big political statements on the internet (remember I do work for the US Government). Memorial Day is not a time for politics. It is a time to honor the people who have sacrificed their lives for the rest of us. It is for the soldiers who fought bravely from the Revolution all the way to the War in Afghanistan.

Not all wars have been justified and/or legal. I don’t find America that different from most other nations past and present as far as its human rights is concerned. I know we have many black spots in our history, trust me; I’ve studied them a lot. It doesn’t matter. This is a day to remember the SOLDIERS and their FAMILIES. All soldiers sacrifice something, and some sacrifice everything. One might argue, “It’s their choice, and it’s their own fault”. You can say that, but then I say: “Yes, they CHOSE to sacrifice their time, their family, and sometimes their lives for their country.” I think that makes the individual soldier honorable. We should honor their families as well.

Memorial Day may have originally been reserved for soldiers, but we can remember and memorialize others who have given their lives in service to our country. We can memorialize the men and women who worked in the underground railroad, the women who marched for their rights, and anyone else willing to step up to make our country a better place. That is what makes a country great—the ability to improve and try to become better than it was the day before. It takes the entire nation to do that, and our soldiers are willing to do their part. I guess my question to anyone reading this post (which is very few) is: What have YOU done to make America a better place? While you think about it for a second I will, too. I certainly haven't done enough, in my opinion.

 I despise the people who just complain about the problems, but don’t offer solutions or don’t participate in the process to make it better. Memorial Day is a day to remember the people who did everything they could for their country, and were willing to sacrifice everything for it—not just soldiers.

Nonetheless, thank you to the men and women of our Armed Forces—and of course, Dean.

Q, Vas, Timmy—you guys as well.