Emerson Publications

On this Memorial Day, I want to express my gratitude to those who have served in our armed forces in any capacity.  I’m grateful for those who put our country and our freedoms above everything else.  I’m also grateful for family members who support them in their efforts; spouses and children who sacrifice so much, and all loved ones who pray and wait for their return. 

Two of my uncles served in World War I, and I am so proud of them for that.  By the time I was born, the war was over, so I was personally unaware of the sacrifices that were made, but I am grateful they served.

Today, I can’t help but think of one of those uncles and how he put flags on the graves at the cemetery every Memorial Day.  It was one of his ways of honoring those who had gone before.

It was also at this cemetery, on July 8^th,  2005, that he took his own life. 

It was a shock to all of us, but looking back, it shouldn’t have been.    This man had lived through the war, raised two sons, owned a business, gave to his family and the community, survived cancer, heart problems, surgeries, and lived to be ninety years old.  He was still fairly active and although his health was failing, he was able to get around on his own.   Doctors prescribed medications that caused endless side effects, including thoughts of suicide. Instead of killing the pain, they killed him.    He’d spent enough time in hospitals and knew that if something didn’t improve in a hurry, he’d either be going back there, or spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.   He chose death over his other options.

On this Memorial Day, I hope that you are healthy and strong.  I hope you will take the time to:

1. Talk to your family about those who have fought and died for our freedom.

2. If you’re traveling and see somebody in uniform, thank them.

3. Thank our soldiers.  Thank our border agents.  Thank the border patrol.

4. Thank our police officers.  Our fire fighters.

Memorial Day isn’t just about gathering to eat hamburgers and hot dogs.  Life is not just a picnic.   We are able to enjoy our freedoms because so many others have made the sacrifice for us.   We can honor our war heroes by paying tribute to them.  Whether they won The Medal of Honor or not, if they served our country, they are heroes.   They should never be forgotten.

We can honor those who are serving now by thanking them.   Help keep the spirit alive that we felt in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and give thanks.

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Last modified: 01/01/01