Today is Memorial Day. I get the day off. No work. It sure seems that, given the reason for the holiday, I should work extra to honor those who have sacrificed to give me the opportunity. (I guess that’s the capitalist in me, huh?)

americanflagRegardless, I take today very seriously.

While I resist the temptation to go on a diatribe about how our liberty is being eroded and how the current political machinations are undermining the very foundations of our freedom and those who fought for it, I must make reference to it because it so disrespects those who gave so much.  More on that later.

Today is a time to honor those whose lives are lost and/or forever changed. We ask so much from our fellow citizens in uniform. We ask them to die for us. That alone is big beyond words. But have you ever considered that we have asked them to kill for us? To endure horror so extreme as war has no comparison.

I never served in the armed service. I turned 18 just after the draft was ended in the 70’s. Nevertheless, I honor those who have made such sacrifice for my freedom.

None of us should take that service lightly.

The current climate, domestic as well as international,  makes out the U.S. and our lifestyle to somehow be villainous. Sure, there are extremes but the individual freedoms we enjoy have produced an environment that blesses not only us, but the whole world. The creation of wealth is not a  bad thing. The American Dream is what attracted people from all over the world here in the first place. Now, as the American way is denigrated here and abroad, the foundations of our freedom are forgotten. And as the liberty erodes, the ability to reach out to help others disappears. Especially when more and more people become dependent on the productive to support those who are taught to expect through the attitude of entitlement.

The great poo-pooing of America is a grave insult to those who have fought for the people of the United States. See, they fought not only for us but the whole world. Yes, the whole world is better for having had the U.S. as a part of the community of man.

“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

Liberty, the freedom to strive and accomplish, is what drives the betterment of society. Recognizing this is given by our creator is what the true spirit of America is all about. The brave souls who fought and died for our way of life did not die in vain.  They carried out the pledge: to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

Today, remember those who sacrificed for what you now enjoy. Call a veteran, pray for those who serve as well as their families, take some kind of action – for their sake.
Our liberty depends on it.