Memorial Day, They Died Protecting the U.S.A.

I’m sure everyone is planning their Memorial Day - sales, the beginning of summer, and barbecues. The reason we have the opportunity to enjoy our free time has always been due to those who have fought and died in defense of the United States of America. 

Time has an unforgiving hold on all of us. I was stationed overseas in 1974 when the Army announced the last surviving Spanish American War veteran had died. Just a few years ago the last World War 1 veteran passed away. The door of time is beginning to close on the veterans of World War 2 and with them, their memories. The memories include their battlefield experiences and the memory of those who were lost in the war. 

Most of those who were lost were 18-20 year-olds, essentially high school age; they never got the chance at life as an adult or have a family. It has been said before, but there is no truer statement, “they gave all of their tomorrows, so we can have our todays.” Their buddies were forever scarred with their memory, which was burned into their minds and became the source of many nightmares. For the families back home and for many years to come, there was an empty place in every gathering and a horrible sense of loss. 

The war in Ukraine has shown the world what large-scale warfare looks like and it is eerily similar in appearance to the World War 2 fighting in Europe. It gives the world an idea of the destructive sudden violence and the resulting high number of causalities. This is the type of warfare that the WW2 veterans faced; there is no glory or fantasy gaming, it is a meat-grinding horror show. 

We owe so much to all who have fought in every war and especially to those who died. Make the most of your time with your families over Memorial Day; try to take in a Memorial Day event and remember why we have the freedoms that we have.