Memorial Day: Honoring Fallen and Gold Star Families

Our country stops this weekend to remember those killed in war. It is really the start of the summer vacation. Cookouts and a baseball game are probably in order too. Maybe hitting the swimming pool cooling off from the soon to be summer heat. But it is also a time of remembrance.

Remembering those who served and then died for their country. Honoring them for their great sacrifice. Also a time to remember and honor those they left behind…Gold Star families who also sacrificed so much as they were not given the opportunity to hug their soldier after a completed mission… now an empty chair at the dinner table at holidays. It is a day of reflection as we honor and remember heroes who answered the call of the trumpet and then died on the battlefield.

So we celebrate their lives and their sacrifice as we slow down on Memorial Day to pay our respects to them and to their Gold Star families. It is fitting to do so.

It is best said in the Medal of Honor book, ” Medal of Honor – Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty,” At the beginning of this beautiful book it is written, “To fallen friends , mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who answered their nation’s call and gave their lives that others may live in freedom . We reflect on what their lives have been, but never will be. Their sacrifice is our mandate; our challenge is to remember.”

Remember ….they kept the flag waving.