Memorial Day Reflection

Over the years Memorial Day has changed in its significance. From a day off from school or work, to a parade event, to holiday pay at Bambergers, to a shopping sale spree, to the unofficial start of summer in all of its glory, to now, a moment of reflection.

Pictures of my friends' parents and loved one who served in the military over the years are posted on my Facebook wall. It is one of the aspects of life I think we are all connected through: serving in the military. We know of those who currently serve as well as those in previous wars or times in between.

I remember as a preteen and early teen years of those on the school bus talking about their older brothers, cousins or friends in Vietnam. There were many who wore POW/MIA bracelets for those missing. Since we didn't know when the war was going to end, there was talk of the draft and how we felt about a war in a place so very far from home.

When I started college in 1977, there were many men who were attending college who fought in Vietnam. Many who I had met in class seemed to have some of their life knocked out of them and were out of place with the young kids from suburbia. I always wondered what these men were like before going off to war.

I don't believe there has ever been a time of peace everywhere. This is something I wish could be true. Peace...where everyone is accepted as humans, not judged by...whatever we decide to judge people on. That acceptance is more prevalent than ignorance. Cooperation more accepted than competition. I wish there were no lines on our maps.

Until that changes, there will be a Memorial Day to remind us of the sacrifices that many gave. And to those, I humbly thank you with all of my heart. I also thank those who see every day as a Memorial Day: the families who lost a loved one. To them I send my deepest gratitude.

I also ask for peace to everyone, everywhere, everyday! Peace to you always.