29/05/2010 Thoughts…

A soft breeze plays with my hair; the sun warm upon my skin; the sounds of birds and far-off traffic can be heard.  I look about and see the flowers in bloom; the neighbors are tending to their yards or preparing for this day.  The dogs of the neighborhood seem to be at peace; no barking of any kind not even in greeting to each other.

It could be as any other weekend with one exception.  American flags are being hoisted onto flagpoles; inserted in the green grasses or flower beds of front yards; lodged into the places where urban America flies holiday banners on their homes.  Yes, it is time this weekend to make room and remember those who died for us.  Our military dead will be honored in a way uniquely American.

The National military cemeteries will have small flags placed at each white headstone or white cross; placed there by the military unit who oversee the final resting places of our dead.  There will be many who will visit The Wall in Washington, DC, memorials built to honor Viet Nam, WWII, Colonial Wars, the Civil War and women who fight side by side with the men.

It is a day-no a weekend-of national mourning and remembrance which remind us that we are here defended by those who are and were, willing to sacrifice their lives to protect America.  The parades will happen on Monday, Memorial Day but the honoring will be throughout the weekend as ordinary people take time out from work to relax. Hopefully many will think about why we are still a land of the free.

As for myself, I count my blessings and am thankful to the friends I have lost over the different wars which have affected us here, Viet Nam, The Persian Gulf War, The Iraq War, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan; friends who gave their lives protecting our rights and way of life even when they disagreed with the manner of the defense.  These people took on their responsibilities and provided a wall so that we here can continue to gather the fruits of our freedom.  They also afforded foreign lands the same courtesy.

So as this weekend progresses, I give my humble salute to the brave men and women of our military forces, thankful that I can live life as I know it today filled with the many different cultures and lifestyles; opinions and voices which makes the United States the America it is today.

Kali.