If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow

Welcome to the last Friday in May!

I often struggle to gather all my thoughts regarding this remembrance of Memorial Day in a succinct manner. So, I will try to keep it as simple as possible.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, memorial is a word meaning “something that keeps remembrance alive.” Our remembrance on this day is to those who have given their lives in service to the United States of America. Since the Revolutionary War, that has been over 1 million men and women.

To those people I am grateful. I am grateful no matter their reasons for joining the various branches of service, I am grateful no matter how they lived their lives, I am grateful no matter who they did or did not vote into office or even if they voted at all, I am grateful no matter what their ancestors or descendants have done or will do. In this moment, I am grateful that they believed – if even for a brief moment – in something that was beyond their own existence – even if it was only to their buddy next to them – I am grateful. And I remember their sacrifice...for these United States of America.   

 Here are some really great videos and poems for you:

·       Taps at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - YouTube

·       Flags-In at Arlington National Cemetery 2023 - YouTube

·       Memorial Day Honoring Those Who Gave Their Lives | USAA

·       Rouge Bouquet by Joyce Kilmer - Poems | Academy of American Poets

·       The Watchers by John Greenleaf Whittier - Poems | poets.org

·       Leonard Cohen recites “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae | Legion Magazine - YouTube

I do hope that you have an enjoyable weekend. Yet in the midst of enjoying the warmer weather and perhaps gathering with friends and family – take a moment to remember why you’re able to gather together well and in peace…