Memorial Day

     Memorial Day was originally referred to as "Decoration Day" which began shortly after the Civil War.  According to reports, springtime gave birth to tributes to honor those who perished in the Civil War.  This day was marked by prayers and the decoration of graves.  People gathered to honor the fallen, then the federal government unified on one national observance day.
    In our modern times, we still continue with this idea to get together with friends and family.  Yes there are some who do not have a connection to the fallen and who may not truly grasp the significance, but the idea is still the same.  Those who may not have a direct connection to the fallen are in a way paying a small tribute to those who lost their lives by holding these gatherings.  Indirectly, they are demonstrating the freedoms that those who died for America.   
     We owe these souls a great deal.  We can sleep at night knowing there are those awake monitoring our safety from dangers near and far.  We can relax with our coffee and ease into the day because someone drew their last breath on the battlefield.  We can watch parades and eat watermelon because someone chose to become a solider.  
     There are some will never know the brutal reality that many face.  Some will never have that connection to the wife or husband who places flowers at the grave of their spouse.  Some will probably never meet a child who grew up placing flags at their parent's grave.  Some will not witness the ceremony on Memorial Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Yet one thing remains a constant; we are all Americans.
     Whether you agree with the politics in the wars or not.  Whether you are directly affected by those we have lost or not.  Whether you show patriotism or not, we are all American.
     Today is one of the few days where it doesn't matter what level of education you have.  It doesn't matter what your gender, age, sexual preference, religion, political affiliation, or skin color is.  Today we honor those who lost a loved one.  We honor those who lost a mom or dad, brother or sister, uncle or aunt, daughter or son.  Today we stand together, even for a moment, and pay respect to those who died wearing our country's uniform and to support those missing a loved one.
     Today remember them and know that the freedoms we enjoy today and every day are not free.