" Remember the Heroes!"

A week from Monday is Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, the kick off of picnics, barbecues, and vacations. Many of us will be joining friends and relatives to celebrate with food and fun. Some communities will have parades and ceremonies to commemorate the holiday. We are all hoping for a sunny day with warm temperatures; after all we haven't had an outside holiday since Labor Day, we deserve it.

From the fields of Gettysburg, to the battle of New Orleans; from Belleau Woods, to the shores of Iwo Jima; from Pork Chop Hill, to the Seige at Khe Sanh, all the way to Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and The War on Terror in Afghanistan, American soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen have spilled their blood in the quest to preserve our freedom and our rights. Over 160,000 men and women gave their lives and limbs in the above mentioned battles; and it was all done for us, the people of America. Countless mothers, fathers, wives, brothers and sisters have received telegrams, and visits from military personnel with the news that their loved ones won't be returning home. Memorial Day is very different for them than it is for the rest of America.

When I think of the sacrifice that these brave American troops made for us, I look at our Constitution and think it should be printed out in "red". Blood is the cost of freedom, from our beginning we have purchased our freedom and guarded our rights with American fighting men and women. They are just Americans, regular people, who stepped forward to answer the call of duty. If you ask most soldiers why they do what they do, you will probably find answers like, love of country, protect our families, protect our freedoms; sounds simple and sincere, and from the heart.

We exercise our rights every day of the week, every time you read a newspaper, listen to the radio, or voice your opinion about any subject, you should thank a veteran, and remember those who aren't here to be thanked.

Enjoy the holiday, enjoy the freedom, enjoy America; there is no other place like it in the world! I like America just the way it is, I thank those who gave so much to keep it just the way it is.

When you go to that parade on Memorial Day, take a good look at that flag, and at those "red" stripes; it took more than red dye to make them red. Thank God for those who purchased our freedom! This day is for them!!


( this is my last blog til June, spending time with my lovely wife, see you then)