Monday, May 27, 2013

the cost of freedom is buried in the ground

Today is Memorial Day. A day that most people think means BBQs and big get togethers and the beginning of summer.

But that is not the meaning of this day.

Memorial Day is a day to remember our fallen heroes. A day to remember that dad who will never see his little girl get married. A day to remember that cousin who will never get to meet the newest member of the family. A day to remember that wife who will never get to kiss her husband again. A day to remember that sister who will never get to tease her brother again. A day to remember that mom who will never get to hug her son again.

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

I hate to admit it, but I used to kind of ignore military stuff. I felt like it didn't affect me. Yeah, my Dad, Gramps, and Uncle had all been in the military, but it was a long time ago. But then my big brother/best friend told me he was going to join the United States Marine Corps. And suddenly it was all so close to my heart.
My brother Matthew and dad Eric at Matt's graduation
from Officer Candidate School, Quantico VA. summer 2012. 
Now? I can't see a picture of a homecoming or hear a song related to the military without tearing up. Now it is personal. No longer is it someone else's brother. It is my brother.

So I would like to make a simple request of you today. Please take a minute the whole day and remember why we celebrate Memorial Day. Forget about the hot dogs and the sunscreen and remember the wife who is without her husband today. Remember the children who have to say goodbye.

And make sure that you thank our service men, women and their families. If you don't see any today, make a phone call. Post on Facebook. Write about it on your blog. Do whatever you have to do to let those heroes know how much you appreciate their sacrifices.

Because while to you it may just be a casket with a flag draped over it, to the man holding the folded up flag it is his little boy.

The Sergeant hands him the flag
After the prayer
The Honor Guard fires 21 rounds 
Up in the air
The sound of Taps brings a tear to all of us
But his dad will always see him as he was

A little boy in a uniform
Five years old in the back yard 
Playing war
Dreaming of everything he could be
In this land of the free
Just like his old man
Did back in Vietnam
He was gonna be a hero for sure
That little boy in a uniform

To my father who served in the Navy, thank you. To my grandfather who served in the Army, thank you. To my brother who is joining the Marine Corps, thank you. To my uncle who served in the Navy, thank you. To Tom Mask, Gene Brazel, Derrick Staffenson, Mason Acheson and all the other military men and women out there, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the real superheroes.

3 comments:

  1. Very true, indeed, miss R.

    Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is beautiful, Rebekah, and you are so right! Thank you to our military men and women (and their families) who have given so much to defend and preserve our country. Love, Aunt Marcy

    ReplyDelete

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