Honoring Those Who Have Served to Ensure My Freedoms

On Memorial Day, I want to always remember that it is not "just another day off ". We have picnics and kick off summer time fun. We don't have work or school. We see friends and family. We take trips and get out on the lake. BUT, Memorial Day is SO much more than that.

I want to remember those who have sacrificed for my freedoms.

Specifically, I want to honor those in my own family who have given their time and served in the military. None of the men in my family who served were "drafted". They each felt a call to serve and signed up voluntarily. They were in various positions in life and left family and friends behind to serve a cause bigger than themselves.

My Pappaw was working on a farm, mending fence with a buddy. They were talking about friends who were already serving in WWII and decided to drive to the Marine post and enlist. They went to Louisville, had a physical and found themselves on the way to the west coast of the United States. After basic training, Pappaw ended up in the "Hawaiian Islands" as he always says. For a time he drove the Lieutenant around and did errands for the officers. He trained in bomb disposal and disarmament. He set sail in the Pacific and watched from a boat as the flag was raised at Iwo Jima. His platoon then landed on Iwo Jima a few days after the beach was "taken" and began building the airstrips for US planes to land on so they could refuel before heading towards Japan. He lived in a foxhole for 26 days. He said he was friends with the guy who passed out food rations and was elated when he'd get an extra can of fruit cocktail! He saw many horrible things and endured a great deal.

A few months later, he ended up in Nagasaki, Japan right after the atom bomb was dropped. His platoon was there to disarm bombs, land mines and help with clean up and maintain order. They showered in the water there. They ate food and drank water and were not told of the potential harmful effects of the radiation exposure. They saw things he has still never fully described to us. He was in Japan for a full year before coming home. He saved his money and sent it home to his mother to help take care of his younger siblings. As with everything else in his life, he served with honor and dignity and pride. It is because of men like him that we can celebrate and embrace our freedoms today.

I am also honored that my Uncle served in the Air Force, my stepfather was a pilot during the Vietnam War, my father in law was in the National Guard during and right after the Vietnam War, my other grandfather was in WWII in the Army and my father was in the Army.

Freedom is never free - it is bought with a price. For some, the sacrifice is the ultimate - their lives.

Freedom is never something we should take for granted. It is to be valued, honored and cherished. I pray we do not lose sight of the value of our freedoms and continue to honor what so many have died to preserve. I pray we honor their sacrifice not just on Memorial Day, but every day!