Memorial Day

The United States flag does not fly because the wind moves past it… The United States flag flies from the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it”

While you are enjoying your barbecue, sunshine, family and friends remember to stop and honour the fallen service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their life defending our nation. They fought bravely and til the end for the freedom that we still have today.

If you’re going to thank someone today, thank the families of the fallen service members, not the service members currently still with us [that is what Veteran’s Day is for]. Thank the parents, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters whose family member gave their life so that you can have that hamburger today.

 

I hope you enjoy your day but never forget why you have off today in the first place.

 

-Victoria

Memorial Day 2013

Memorial Day: the unofficial kickoff to summertime. A day when you’re surrounded by friends & family, it’s almost certain that today the grill would be fired up and drinks will be poured whilst sharing anecdotes all around.

My hope is that in some part during your busy day off from work among all your socialising that you paused. That you took just a moment to remember why exactly you had today off from work. My hope is that you remembered the service men and women that have fought for this country and the ones that are still fighting today. My hope is you remembered the fallen members of the armed forces that have the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom by giving up their life. My hope is that you thanked a service man or woman today. My hope is that you thought about the military members abroad that can’t be near their families today.

I remember the first time I put my uniform on, August 2008, I was a cadet. I was young, my name tapes were backwards, my bun a disaster, and my boot stings untucked. I later left cadet life to be enlisted and I went to basic training. That young teen that put on the uniform grew into a soldier who wanted nothing more than to make her drill sergeants and senior NCOs proud. I am a soldier, yes a reserve soldier, but a soldier nonetheless and I am thankful for the service men and women that came before me and for the ones that serve with me now. I am thankful for my husband and the work he does as a soldier in the US Army. I am thankful for the soldiers that have given their lives to protect all of us stateside. I am thankful for the wonderful battle buddies I have met being apart of something as outstanding as the US Military.

So this Memorial Day, I hope you thought and gave thanks for all the men and women serving in the military, I hope you remembered the fallen and thanked the veterans; without them you would not have enjoyed that BBQ on your Monday off from work today.