Hooray, hooray it’s Memorial Day! Summer is here! It’s time for cooking out, barbecues, hanging out with family and friends and all of the other fun that summer always brings us in it’s wake. I love this particular weekend of the year. The pool opens and Karen, Emma Rose and I make a day of it, we cook hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill and have all of the traditional sides and we hang out have fun with our family and friends! Winter hybernation is over! I even enjoy working more! Showing and selling homes in much more comfortable and fun during the summer months. It stays lighter longer and prospective homebuyers usually see the properties in their prettiest condition of the year. 
I also love this particular weekend for another reason. I am so proud to be an American! I’m so blessed to be an American! I know that the freedoms and little things in life that I so enjoy were bought with a price. A high price. The ultimate price. My wonderful life today was purchased with the lives of American Servicemen and Servicewomen throughout our history. American blood has been spilled across the world just so I have the freedom to write this post!
I had the privilege to serve our country in the United States Air Force. I met my wife, Karen, there while she was serving our country, too! While I was fortunate not to have had to serve in combat, the military instilled in me a character and bearing that I carry even 20 years later. I remember one of the best things I ever learned was “Take Care of Your People and They’ll Take Care of the Mission.”. I am grateful for the men and women who laid down their lives without a moment’s thought of their own well being just to complete the mission. The mission isn’t always the “big picture” mission of keeping America safe. The mission on that day may be delivering humanitarian aid, escorting a diplomat or other high ranking official, doing and integrated combat turn on a fighter aircraft, responding to a distress call or even a day off. These American Heroes laid down their life in the heat of the moment while doing the specific jobs to which they were tasked.
So whether you celebrate this “kick off the Summer” weekend in a small town or bustling city, please take the time to remember the TRUE MEANING of Memorial Day. Be thankful for and to the men and women without whose sacrifice this country would not be. Say thank you to those you know who were actually able to come home from their military tours. Say a prayer of thanks, have a moment of silence. Do something to express your gratitude for the blessings we enjoy as Americans. They were bought with a price! Don’t forget to Memorialize Memorial Day this year!
Memorial Day; Dont’ Forget To Memorialize It! ~ The Musings of A Husband and Dad
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RE/MAX Gateway
Ed,
This is GREAT! And so true. In our day to day, we don’t think about how we are able to have our “normal” day to day.
Our Dad was a proud soldier! And I feel blessed for that. Because he fought not only to protect us, but our country.
Thank you Ed, for your time and service. That time has instilled in you, wisdom that you use today. As a husband, father, business man, and my Bubba!
I love you,
Clairee
Ed:
Very nice. Enjoy Emma because they grow so fast. Say Hi to all of the family. Hope you have some Stadium mustard for you hot dogs
Hi Ed.
Thank you for reminding us the true reason we celebrate Memorial day. Thank you to all who served and kept this country free. May we never loose sight of all the freedoms that we enjoy because men and women have decided to serve.
Awesome website Ed. I especially love the photos! All of your beautiful girls in one spot – perfect!
Ed,
Thank you for taking the time to remind us to keep it all in perspective.
The poet, Laurence Binyon wrote…
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Let it not be just today that we remember them.
Thanks, Larry ~ That’s beautiful! I agree that we should be grateful for these heros everyday!
Ed,
I am thankful for everyone who served in the armed forces. You are right, we owe a great debt to them all, to those who served and sacrificed, and to those who served and paid the utlimate sacrifice.
Annette and I were traveling this memorial day and did not celebrate in the usual way of cookout and family time. But, throughout the day I thanked God for the men and women who serve and haved served to protect our freedoms!
I am also thankful that my new job places me in and around all the branches of the DoD. It is a contant reminder of the critical mission of our armed forces and it heps me to remember to thank them and pray for them all.
God bless you Ed, and Thank You and Karen for your service to our country!
Hope to see you in July!
Mike
Thanks for the kind words, Mike. We appreciate your service to our country, too! Have a great day and stay tuned for our next post here in The Musings of a Husband and Dad!