Memorial Day

This day has a new found meaning for me. I've always been patriotic and had a deeper appreciation for this country and our rights than most other people my age, but now I look at Memorial Day completely different.

Too many people in this country of ours mistake what this "holiday" is really for. And it just seems like it's what our society has made Memorial day to be. Sure we have to holiday just because it's "right" but how many people actually take the time to appreciate what it's for. Too many times have I heard "Hey come over to my place, I'm having a huge BBQ for Memorial day" or how people are going to have parties. Other people are only excited because it's a day off of school, or a day off from work. I'm sure I was guilty of the same thing, but now I feel it's my duty to make others aware of this. Memorial day should not be a day for having parties and getting drunk, it should be a day of remembrance and honoring those who have died in military service. I hope none of you have gone around and said "Happy Memorial Day" to anyone...because this day is far from happy. If there is anything to be happy for, it's for the rights and freedoms you citizens enjoy because of the men and woman that have sacrificed and died for this country. The people that we honor on this day are the ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice. How many people do you honestly know that are willing to fight and die in the name of the United States of America?

I've witnessed the death of 4 soldiers since I've been in Iraq. 1 of them a good buddy. These soldiers were only doing their jobs. I doubt any of them thought that by Memorial day they would be among the ones honored. I can tell you that from this day forward, every single Memorial day for the rest of my life I will Honor and respect these fallen soldiers, and many more. Whether you agree with this war or not, or what you think this war is about, we as soldiers are here in Iraq representing the United States of America. We represent a great country...a free country. If only the Iraqi's could know what that was like. If only the Iraqis knew how great America is. It's a shame so many Americans take everything they have for granted. It may have taken me a trip to Iraq to really see it, but people back in the States have absolutely no clue what they really have. People don't know how good they got it.

So take a break from the celebrations and parties and do something in honor of America's fallen. There are plenty of things you can do. -Out here-

DA03