Memorial Day is one my favorite holidays.  Every year we go to the local parade near my parents and watch.  Admitedly, it has gotten smaller and a bit disorganized, but it is a very fun tradition.  It’s short, about half an hour or so now.  Which is good because any longer might be a pain in the ass for me these days.  When I was young, and in little league, I marched every year.  In my uniform.  I didn’t really like it that much back then.  I saw it more as work then as a responsibility.  But I was 8.

Flash foward to today.  This was my son’s third parade, having been born in January of 2007, he really only got into this year, at 2 1/2.  He was waving his flag and poppy flower (for those of you who don’t know what that is, it is a little handmade flower that veterans make and then give as gifts for donations).  It makes me happy and proud.   Both of my grandfathers were WWII vets.  My dad’s dad in the Pacific and my Mom’s dad in Europe.  I was too young or uninterested to be able to hear any of their stories and I am regretful & saddened by that.  It is such an important time in our share global history and every day we lose another link to that true past.

So while you are all digesting your BBQ and thinking about how sweet this summer is going to be, do yourself a favor and just take a few minutes and think about all the men and women who put themselves in harms way and ultimately may have given their lives so that we can enjoy our freedoms.