Memorial Day

A lot of folks are out there burning $4 gasoline, driving to the beach, cooking some burgers on the grill and enjoying what is considered widely the opening of summer.

But I want you to think what Memorial Day really means.

Arlington National Cemetery courtesy Ernie Stewart. His site can be found here.

It is a day to honor the fallen who sacrificed all for love of country. It's not just a nice extended weekend, as many think.

USS Yorktown courtesy NAVSOURCE

On this day, I think of those 20-somethings, some younger than that, who had their lives taken away in the cause of freedom. I think the sailors permanently entombed in the USS Yorktown when she sank after Midway, a battle that turned the tide in the Pacific.


I think of the men who died on the USS Gambier Bay, whose crew valiantly fought to the last against a numerically superior foe, the Japanese Center Force, off Samar in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Their sacrifice saved the Phillipine invasion fleet of defenseless transports. I had the pleasure to meet one of the veterans of this battle and hear firsthand about something that I had only read about.

I think of Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon, two Delta operators who went into to save Michael Durant despite knowing that they were likely not coming back. They saved him at the cost of their own lives and earned the Medal of Honor (don't call it the Congressional Medal of Honor) for their sacrifice.

I think of the brave men and women in Iraq fighting a war that many in this country are actively trying to undermine. I think of Ross McGinnis, a 19-year old who jumped on a live grenade and saved the lives of four comrades. For all those who have earned our nation's highest award for valor, go here.

I wonder if an idea, a dream is worth the life of even one man. Like my high school friend Chris Mason, who lost his life in Iraq in 2006. The world without Chris is a darker, more dour one.

Chris in his own words

So when you're munching on your burger, heading to the beach or enjoying the day off, think of those who gave their lives for your freedom. It's the least you can do.

These brave men and women through the ages gave their lives for freedom. Would you be willing to do the same?