Remember Their Sacrifice

Many of us will be doing something special with this 3-day weekend--but how many people really think about what Memorial Day recognizes? As far as patriotism is concerned, I was just the average person who didn't give it much thought--until 9/11/01. After that day, I felt a real connection to other Americans and to the military that protects and defends us, both now and in the past. That feeling made me want to take action, and led to my using anysoldier.com to support as many troops as I could. I learned that it's possible to care for and worry about people I've never met who put their lives in danger every day on behalf of me, my family, and our country.
My great-uncle Charlie was a POW of the Germans in World War II. He didn't share much of that experience with the family when he returned. Fred's dad, Lester, was in a tank division at the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Bronze Star. He never talked about what he did and saw there either--all that history lost when he died in 1987.
Few of us think of the hardships endured by the men and women who have ensured our freedom for the past 200+ years. We take their protection for granted until it affects us personally--which for most people, it won't. Two parents from the anysoldier.com forum have lost sons this year in our current wars. CWO Matthew Kelley, son of my friend Cathi from Osborn, MO, was killed in Iraq on Jan. 26 when his helicopter was shot down. He was 30 years old, married, with two children. Cathi and I haven't met, but our relationship through e-mails and letters was enough to make Matthew's death very personal to me. Last month, Bob, another forum member, received the news that his 21-year-old son Rick DeWater had been killed in action in Afghanistan. Deployed to the Korengal Valley, one of the most dangerous places in the country, Rick died from wounds sustained in an IED explosion. For Cathi and Bob, Memorial Day will take on a whole new meaning as they cope with these tragedies.
For those without a personal connection, the holiday should still be more than picnics, ball games, and an extra day off from work. It doesn't take much effort to attend a parade, visit a cemetery, or thank a veteran or current service member--before the opportunity is gone. If it weren't for all of them, all of our lives would be very different--and not for the better.
Thank you to all who have served, are now serving, and to their families for sharing them with us. We will remember. www. anysoldier.com