Remembering those who serve our country

I was thinking about Memorial Day and what it means, and wondering just how many of my friends/relatives have served our country and how many of them lost their lives or were wounded. I could not think of anyone on my mother's side of the family who served in the military, other than my uncle who came home with a dishonorable discharge (Vietnam era). There are numerous people who have served on my father's side of the family, including my dad. He served in Korea as the clerk of a POW prisoner exchange camp. He traveled to Korea by ship, and it was while he was one the boat that the treaty was signed. As he put it in a letter to home: "They heard I was coming, so they hurried and signed before I got there." I don't know his exact duties, because he died in a car accident long before I was old enough to ask him about it.

There are many others on my dad's side--cousins, uncles, great uncles--as well as friends and children and spouses of friends who have served. I appreciate all of your service, especially those who were sent to the heart of battle and put at risk to life and limb to preserve freedom throughout the world, and not just "American" freedoms. As far as casualties, there are only two that I know of: The first was a great uncle who died at a very young age (18, I think) on a battle field in World War I. The other is my cousin's son-in-law Travis, who was wounded in Afghanistan and, after many, many surgeries (numbering close to 100), lost a leg. Of course, while not a casualty, one family member is a chaplain and has the difficult duty of reporting deaths of his soldiers to their families. That would be a difficult task!

I admire the courage it takes to go to war. I respect those who choose to serve. I pray for those who are currently off in far lands serving. I honor the families that let their loved ones (spouse, child, parent, or friend) leave, knowing the risks involved. You have my undying gratitude.

On Memorial Day, I did not honor those who served in a manner they deserved. I did not visit any grave sites, nor did I participate in any program, nor did I watch a show on TV giving appreciation to those who serve. I did not even display a flag (except the small flag pin I wore). Instead, I (like the majority of Americans) gathered with my family for a day of pleasure. In our case, it was movie and barbeque. I enjoy being with my family, and we had a great day, but I feel somewhat ashamed of myself. The best I did was think about servicemen that I knew and make a small contribution to the local VA hospital.

In the community where I was raised there was an annual Memorial Day parade. I went every year until they quit doing the parade. Unfortunately, I don't think many cities or towns do parades any more. We have turned Memorial Day (and many other of our "holidays") into a day/weekend of playtime without any thought for those who've made the ultimate sacrifice. But what do we expect in this age of "Me First" where people don't even respect themselves, let alone what others do for them. What is America coming to?

God help us.