Memorial Day

Memorial Day is this Monday. Personally, my family and myself it will be enjoying the sun on the beach at Wildwood, NJ. That's if the weather agrees to cooperate. We hope it will, as we all enjoy the power and majesty of the ocean. Nothing like the sight of Mother Nature at it's finest to remind one just how insignificant humans are when compared to our planet.

Normally, my family and I would spend the day attending the local Memorial parade, listening to the speeches at the cemetery. Latter we would stop by the Home Depot and pick up some flowers, and spend some time planting them at cemeteries. I have two relatives that fought in the Civil War - both survived. While doing some genealogy work on my family, I discovered another relative who was attached to an Army division that did most of the US' fighting in WWI. We'd also hit some other relatives, just because it seems the proper thing to do. Then we'd have a barbecue. After all, this is America.

But this time, we decided we needed a vacation away from everything, so we're heading out. Come Monday, I will be thinking about veterans who gave everything for their country, both voluntarily and draftees. I do believe there is something special about them. From the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan.

I also have the up most respect for police and fire fighters. To me there is something special about them. True it's technically just a job. But when there is a disaster, and every atom in your body is trying to force you to run away as fast as possible, these are the people you run past while fleeing. They're the people going in the other direction. They are going to make it better. That impresses me. It's the same as soldiers.

When the battle is raging, the bullets are flying, and the bombs are exploding, they hold the ground. From the safety of our homes in the greatest nation this world has ever produced, it's easy to forget the rest of the world is not so safe. As a matter of fact, I think most of the political troubles in this country come from exactly that problem. Far too many Americans wrongly assume the rest of the world has it as good as we do, and want the same things we want. Nothing could be further from the truth. The rest of the world is violent. There are killers, murderers, rapists, thieves, vandals. As we saw on 9/11 there are those who would go to any lengths in order to destroy America and what it means.

And make no mistake, America does stand for many things. Among them, that we will not be controlled by other countries. Our population will live with more freedom and security than 90% of the world's population. And there is a reason for that.

As you read this, all over the world, there are American soldiers keeping the peace. If anyone really believes that North Korea wants peaceful coexistence with the west, then you really shouldn't be doing the mental heavy lifting necessary to be on the internet. Turn off the computer and go back to watching Jerry Springer.

All over the world, our soldiers are on duty. Keeping the peace. You can sleep well tonight because, whether or not you realize it, they are on guard, keeping you safe. That's a luxury we have in America, not a right. And we have it because of those soldiers, both current and past. Those who returned from battles scared both physically and mentally. And those who never returned, or if they did, in a box.

Enjoy your holiday weekend. Please take a moment to remember the reason we can enjoy it is because of the American soldiers out on the guard. They are watching out for us, so we don't have to worry. Find one and thank them.