Are you dressed for it? Do you wear red, white, and blue clothing or carry flags? Do you spend time with your family barbequing or beaching? Do you join in many of the holiday festivities?
This is all wonderful and such a blessing to be able to do, but the real question is do we remember why we celebrate this day with fireworks, festivals, and family? Do we hug our loved ones between parades and fireworks, knowing that we get to do these things because some people died for these times to happen, that we are grateful to have our people, and that we are free to live life with them? For the people who died for our freedoms were someone’s loved ones. Do we mourn a little with those who have personally lost loved ones, so we can watch our children get their face painted or march in a kiddie parade or “ohh” and “ahh” when they watch the fireworks?
Because if those who suffered in wartimes had not done so, had not carried our flags to victory, had not died to save our way of free life, we would not now be celebrating the life we now have. The freedom to come and go, to worship as we please, to vote for a president and not a dictator (to make nasty comments about them and not be beheaded!), to love who we choose to love… Our freedoms, though some are still being fought for, are priceless. It is rather remarkable…and always on the backs of those who have gone before us. Who have suffered and possibly died – in and out of the military. The phrase, “All gave some, Some gave all” is a phrase that we should carry in our hearts on Memorial Day, but also on the 4th of July. Many of our freedoms have been fought on the home front, but the celebration that we celebrate today is due to those who serve/served in our military.
Be bold in your patriotic clothes, hang or wave those flags or hats, enjoy your day to the full! Because that’s why they fought. That’s why they took on a different life and defended our country. So those who follow can continue to live a full life – of freedom. Raise your flags. Raise your hearts. Together.
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