FOOD FOR THOUGHT

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day is a time for all of us to not only remember those who have passed before us into the Endless Eternity, but to recall the reasons why. Whether it be a loved one, a family member, a friend or a stranger, makes no difference as long as you remember him or her and what they did for you and your life. The remembrance process helps to heal the personal loss and turn that loss into a personal gain which can be passed on to help those who are still here with us.

Our memories have a habit of losing the bad and enhancing the good. We should be aware of this and how it shapes our thoughts and feelings. As a nation, we remember our wars and the men and women that fought and died to preserve our way of life. We remember those from the Revolutionary War up to and including the Gulf War. Every person who fought in one or more of these wars did so to do their part in this preservation process. Whether they volunteered or were drafted makes no difference at all, they did their part for our way of life. We should, and do, thank them for their sacrifice.

Not all wars or conflicts have been supported by the masses in our country. The Vietnam, Bosnia and Gulf Wars are examples of this. However, that does not lessen the need to respect those who did believe that a need was there (to protect a lifestyle and a nation) and were willing to give the ultimate prize for that belief. People gave their lives for their own reasons and for yours.

Even those conflicts that were not good for the nation or the citizens are good for the learning process. We should remember what made us take the wrong path and watch out for it in the future. Good can come out of bad, if we do not do bad again. Many lives have been lost by poor decisions made during war (and peace) but that does not make those losses worthless. We should learn and avoid the traps that lead to bad decisions to honor those lost in such conflicts.

We are a nation of diverse ancestry and creeds and therefore will not always agree on all things, but we should respect each others belief and the right for each of us to think on an individual level. Without this premise, we would fail to follow the "Bill of Rights" or the "Declaration of Independence" which gives us peace, life and liberty. Our nation is the strongest on the face of the Earth at this time in history and it will take all of us, yes, each and every one of us, to keep it that way. We have the right to speak our minds and give our opinions. Stand up for these rights, as those who gave up their lives stood up for them. Without these basic rights, we would have none at all. Think about it! Without the support for and the descent of this premise, we as a people and a nation would not survive and grow into a better society.

While each of us may not agree with what eveyone says and does, we must respect the process that allows us to say and do, to help change as needed and to keep the same when necessary, because this is what makes us a great nation. Our memorial should center on these thoughts and be focused on those persons that fought and gave their lives to support these beliefs.

In conclusion, we wish to give thanks and honor to all those who, over the past millennia, have sacrificed their lives to build us into the great nation that we are today. Let us not forget that which they have given and be prepared to give the same measure when we are called.

[FOOD FOR THOUGHT]

Last Updated on 08-Jan-08