Memorial Day

Sometimes I gloss over Memorial Day without really thinking about the reason for the holiday. Frankly, it's too painful if I really sit and think about the awful cost of human life that has been paid over and over again for various just and unjust causes. I can't imagine the feeling of offering my life for a conflict between countries or peoples. I know it has to be done sometimes, though I wish it never did. I am grateful to those that have made and are willing to make that sacrifice. I'm thankful for teary eyed old great-grandfathers that wear their emotion on their sleeve as they think about their fallen friends from so long ago. I'm thankful for fresh faced 19 year olds that embody strength and dedication. I'm thankful for everyone inbetween that has served this country out of duty, honor, challenge, for college tuition, or even because they were just plain forced to do it. I understand that there's a high personal price to be paid by those in the military...a price I've never had to pay. So I am indebted to them all.