Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends, enjoy barbecues and outdoor fun. Our holiday may look different due to COVID-19 and social distancing, but the same level of excitement and anticipation remains. I am pretty confident that it won’t snow, and for anyone living in the Mitten, that’s a win! At our house, we have prepped our barbecue and are ready to enjoy the warm weather!
As we gather at home, at our lake houses, or on our boats, it is easy to forget the reason why this holiday exists at all. As Ronald Reagan remarked, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those that paid the ultimate price for our freedoms in service to our great country. I have always wondered how to most eloquently pay tribute and thank these warriors and their families without sounding patronizing or fake.. President Lincoln said that “ ...through their deeds, the dead of have spoken more eloquently for themselves than the living ever could.” In reality, it is a sacrifice most of us will never be called upon to make and many of us may never know anyone who was killed while serving our nation.
A depth of gratitude extends to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. George S. Patton is credited for saying “it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.” We remember our fallen heroes and hope that we may have the strength of character and fortitude to continuing fighting for and preserving our freedom as a tribute to them.
I wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe Memorial Day.
Lucia
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