Memorial Day Message
Memorial Day is a time we reflect on all the men and women who have given their lives for our country. It’s sobering when we think about all the wars that have been fought and all the lives lost over the past 200 plus years.
Why would anyone volunteer to put their life, future and all they have at risk for very little pay and no guarantees? I’m reminded of Pat Tillman the NFL Arizona Cardinals football player who left his lucrative career to enlist in the US Army and become a Ranger. He served multiple combat tours and was eventually killed in Afghanistan in 2004. Why would he make such a decision that would end in tragedy?
I believe we make these decisions out of love. I know that's why I made my decision to join the United States Marine Corps. I loved my country so much, I needed to join. I think Pat needed to serve as well, I was lucky and Pat was not.
It’s amazing the sacrifices we make for Love. So when we reflect on this Memorial Day let's remember there were people who loved us so much before we were even born, that gave their lives so we could have freedom and liberty.
Let’s not be ungrateful and self-centered, if our forefathers were that, we would not be living like we do. We have so much that was given to us, handed to us on a silver platter. If you were born in this country you were born with privileges our forefathers would have never imagined and if you came here from somewhere else, you probably have a deeper understanding of exactly what that means.
So we can do right by all the men and women who sacrificed for us and live a life worth living using our gifts to help others, live virtuously and making a difference, or we can forget about all who came before us and just think about the things we don’t have. I choose the former.
This is such a special day and I know we will be having BBQ’s and spending time with families but let’s not forget about the Love that brought us all here. Teach it to our kids today, they need it more than ever.
“Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself.”
