Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is Monday so this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, duh! It's also seen as the unofficial start of Summer here.
But as with the case with so many American holidays the true meaning is all too often lost. Memorial day is a day to remember our servicemen & women who gave the full measure for our country. Whereas Veteran's Day is for all vets, Memorial Day is for our fallen from the American Revolution to today.

There are things in my past I am proud of and others less so. One thing I do take great pride in is having served 12 years in our armed forces. Five years active Air Force, 4 Naval Reserves and 3 Army National Guard. My active time was 1977-1982, the height of the Cold War and just after the Vietnam War when the military wasn't very  popular among America's civilians. Our health and well being was in almost as much jeopardy from the locals as from the then U.S.S.R.

It does my heart good to see my brothers and sisters in uniform today being appreciated as my generation of warriors were despised if not hated.

But I digress. I really wanted to say that Memorial Day is about so much more than grilling, chilling, having ice cream and watermelon. It is more than an extra paid day off work. Anyone who's ever laced a pair of combat boots can tell you we didn't sign up for the money or "glory". We did it and do it every day for you, the American people. To keep you free and safe from any and all harm to the best of our mortal abilities.

So if you would do me two favors....
1) When you see someone in uniform take a second to thank them.
2) If you say Grace before you chow down remember those who died for you.

I see that I do have occasional readers from other countries so let me assure you even those who at some time my government not I had issues with your government not You your fallen are included in Merlin's Memorial Day prayers.

"All we are saying is give peace a chance" . John Lennon