Lest We Forget

The three day weekend of Memorial Day has always signified the beginning of summer for Americans, but I think it is important not to forget its true significance. It is a time to say thank you to those brave men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life. I heard it put best by Zell Miller, former congressman from Georgia:

Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier. And, our soldiers don’t just give freedom abroad, they preserve it for us here at home. For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag who gives that protester the freedom he abuses to burn that flag.

While it is a time to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty, it is also a time to remember those who have been wounded protecting the American way of life. The Wounded Warrior Project helps those soldiers returning to civilian life after suffering traumatic injuries in battle. Fisher House is another great organization that helps military families by providing housing and basic needs that allows them to be close to their soldier as they receive care for injuries and illness. Let’s remember all of our fallen heroes this weekend.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 24th, 2009 at 1:54 pm and is filed under Battlefront. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Melisa

Yep, it’s “easy” to forget the real reason for the three-day weekend amongst all the burgers and hot dogs (and the kids shouting “Yippee!” because they get the day off of school).

The boys are marching in our town’s Memorial Day parade tomorrow, escorting the Gold Star Families.

Good reminder.

(NukeDad) Good for your boys! Our town has a parade for EVERYTHING; except, Memorial Day. Go figure. I guess the bumblebees are more deserving?

Melisas last blog post..I’d Like to Thank The Academy & a Few Ladies…

May 24, 2009 @ 5:35 pm

SurprisedMom

I’m fortunate to live in a city that really celebrates Memorial Day. Yes, there is a parade, but there are many memorials going on in the city and suburbs surrounding my city courtesy of the many VFW posts. Those who served and died are not forgotten. When I was a reporter, we made sure that we covered those moving ceremonies. I think it was the least we could do.

I’ve heard of the Wounded Warrior Program. I also believe anyone can donate to it. I’m also familiar with the speech by Miler. A reporter with whom I worked, a Viet Nam vet, had it tacked up on his cubicle.

It’s too easy to forget. But, we wouldn’t be celebrating the beginning of summer like we do if it weren’t for those Wounded Warriors, those who gave their lives.

(NukeDad) Well, it’s good to hear that the Vets are getting the attention they deserve in some places. Zell Miller’s speech was awesome, wasn’t it?

SurprisedMoms last blog post..A Day

May 24, 2009 @ 10:12 pm