Memorial Day

As we are quickly approaching this Memorial Day weekend, I think of all those long weekends growing up.  Often times we were camping and out enjoying the weekend, but I still grew up with an appreciation for the reason behind Memorial Day. 

Neither one of my parents were in the military.  My mom was born into an Air Force family, even though my grandfather retired before she was very old and my dad was drafted after high school, but was turned away due to medical issues.  But red, white and blue has always ran through their blood.  This was passed on to my sister and I. 

At every parade we have ever been to we stood when the American flag went by, our hand are always over our heart when the National Anthem is played.  The flag pole in front of my parents house has handprints from when my sister and I were very young and unless there is bad weather you can count on the flag flying. 

This pride and patriotism isn't something that was brought on by 9/11 or anything besides just simply pride in being an American.  To my parents, that pride doesn't just include flying a flag or wearing red on Friday - a large part of it is honoring those who have served and remembering those fallen.... those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, whether in these wars or those wars from days past. 

I've always believed very strongly in the quote from Calvin Coolidge, "The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten".  Please remember his words as you prepare to head out for the weekend or to a cookout, that this isn't a day to be taken lightly.  It's a day that honors those who sacrified, a day that many take with a grain of salt, while the loved ones of those servicemembers bear the weight.

This bracelet is one that I proudly wear in honor and memory of these three wonderful soldiers.