As the daughter of a Korean War vet, I'd like to share my thoughts on Memorial Day. 

Memorial Day isn't about barbecues or parades, although that's part of it.  It's about taking the time to remember the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to allow us to have the freedom to host those barbecues and attend those parades. 

So many times I think that we take our freedom for granted that we forget to  stop to thank those that worked so hard to ensure that we are able to stay free.

I was lucky.  My dad was able to come home from Korea alive and without any injuries.  My cousin, his nephew, wasn't that fortunate.  He paid the ultimate sacrifice in VietNam.

Now I know that the war that we're in right now isn't a popular one.  I'm even against the war in Iraq.  I've heard it said that you can't be against the war and support the troops at the same time.  I bet to differ.  I respect our brave servicemen and women who are over there each and every day, doing their jobs, laying their lives on the line.  They were given orders to go to Iraq and they went willingly, even though they may not have agreed with the war.  Some have come home or will come home unscathed.  Others will arrive on American soil injured, either physically or mentally.  Others will come home in a body bag.  As Billy Ray Cyrus sang, "All gave some.  Some gave all".

Just for today, if not for any other day, stop for a minute, look to the sky, and thank those veterans that gave their lives for our country and our freedom.

And if you see a vet today, go up to him or her, shake his hand (or give him or her a hug) and thank them for everything that they did.

Happy Memorial Day and God Bless the USA 

Tags: memorial day, veteran, daughter

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