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Memorial Day is a holiday that many look forward to. It brings a three day weekend, and it is the official kick-off to summer. It represents parades, picnics, barbecues and baseball games. It truly is an All-American holiday. What is sometimes forgotten are the reasons we have this holiday, and that it symbolizes the sacrifices of every American soldier in the time of war and conflict.
Many have lost their loved ones- Husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and friends who have made sacrifices for the preservation of our freedom. And as the death toll in Afghanistan passes a thousand, this year's memorial holiday takes on a more poignant meaning.
I'm reluctant to go off on a rant about a heart-felt remembrance of those who have paid for our freedom, giving up their tomorrow's for the conservation of our today's. After all, this is a blog about pretty, shiny, decorative things-right? Well I suppose my point in all this is that Memorial Day is more than just a three day weekend, and a shopping extravaganza for the best deals on the planet. (At least that is what it seems to be all about according to the newspaper. BUY, BUY, BUY here are the BEST Memorial Day Sales this weekend!) This holiday commemorates those who have given their precious lives in defense of the United States, and our liberty.
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. — General George S. Patton
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
~ John F. Kennedy
As we remember the sacrifices of the nation's servicemen and women, we pray for the souls of the fallen, let us also pray for those who are still fighting for our freedom, those who are paying for our freedom, giving up their tomorrow's for the conservation of our today's.
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