How are you spending this Memorial Day? I think we are pretty typical. We’ll be heading out early to a flea market, enjoying a local parade, grilling some burgers and, maybe, working in the garden a bit. We might take in a ballgame or go for a bike ride. It’s always nice to kick off the summer season with a three day weekend and enjoy some down time.
We’ll also pause a moment to remember those who died in the service of our country. That is, after all, the real reason for Memorial Day. In our town, we will go to the “Field of Heroes,” an annual display of over 3000 flags. This year, there will also be nearly 5000 ceramic red poppies to honor the women who have died in military service.
All the activities we’ll enjoy are gifts of liberty and little victories in the pursuit of happiness. Many people over many years have died to keep those opportunities alive for us.
So, when the flag passes by, we’ll stand out of respect. When we walk past the crosses at our local Fallen Heroes Memorial, we’ll say a quiet prayer for the families left behind. As we enjoy the day’s patriotic activities, we will do so to honor the service men and women who died protecting freedom around the world.
Freedom isn’t free and the price of liberty is often far too high. Thank you to those who paid the price for me.
Photos taken at the 2015 Field of Heroes, Westerville, Ohio.
