Memorial Day...
The other day I was asked by a journalist "what does Memorial Day mean to you while you are on active duty?" and I thought about it for a minute and thought to myself "being on active duty doesn't change anything for me" and I went on to respond that Memorial day as a specific day for remembering my fellow brothers and sisters who have fallen is not any different than any other day to me, because I reflect on their memory constantly. To me I think that memorial day is more of a day for people who do not have a connection to the military to be reminded of the sacrifice generations of men and women have given throughout the history of our Nation, even when it wasn't united. I personally remember SGT. Nathan Field and SPC. Robert Johnson who died in Iraq January 7, 2006 every time I look at or put on my memorial bracelet with their names on it. I do not need a specific day to remember them or those who came before and after them. Furthermore, I wonder why someone would wonder if being on "active duty" would change the meaning of memorial day for me? I have been a Soldier the day I graduated basic combat training in 2000, and will continue being so until the day I hang up my uniform for the last time. Being on active duty does not add or detract from that fact, nor does it alter how I honor the memory of my fellow warriors; fallen or not.
What do you think about memorial day?
2 comments:
Excellent your quote in the Lawrence Journal World today. Thank you too for your involvement with the Lawrence VFW and KU veterans its so important to have younger veterans like yourself involved. becky (your mom's friend).
here is to SGT Nathan Field and SPC Robert Johnson...thank you soliders.
and to you and your unit.
we think about you everyday.
and I pause on this weekend to think about your great uncle ewald, who died just three days before the end of ww II in 1945. and to tomas who came home from the vietnam war and is our friend for all these years.
peace n love, msky
Post a Comment