Instead of telling people to take time out from enjoying their barbecues, swimming, parades, and just generally enjoying an extra day off to remember the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation for one day, I thought that I would look at this slightly differently this year.
What if we as a nation, as a people, tried to make everyday Memorial Day? Sometimes we forget a few simple facts. Our Military is entirely volunteer. No one is forced to join. The fact that ordinary people volunteer every day to leave their homes, families, and their "normal" way of life to go to far away places, and defend the United States is really quite extraordinary.
Every single person in America is effected daily in some way by the U.S. Military. If they are not the family member or friend of someone who is currently serving or has served, then perhaps they work as a Civilian on a Military base. Maybe they are employed in an industry that is closely related to the Military, like Boeing.
We all see Military Personnel out and about in our everyday lives. In the Grocery store, Pharmacy, or Wal-Mart, it is quite possible that you will see someone in uniform or fatigues with their family. What if, right then and there, we stopped, shook their hand, and thanked them, and their families, for their service. What if everyone in America donated one dollar to a Military Charity. What great things that we could do for our fighting men and women. What if we made sure that our Veteran's Hospitals were state-of-the-art, so that our soldiers who came home injured could receive the best care possible. Not just for the injury that they may be dealing with currently, but for any other future treatment they might need.
Every person in America knows a currently serving soldier, or Veteran. It is a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker. What if each of us thanked just one?
My public Thank You would be to my good friend Martin Baker. Martin is a former Navy SEAL. He does not like to talk about his time in the Military very much. Like a lot of Vets, he looks at it as just another period of his life. I don't know much about Military training, but I do know that not just anyone can be a Navy SEAL, or a Soldier. They are the best of the best. The cream of the crop.
So Martin, I know you hate this, but Thank You. Thank You for your service and sacrifice to help protect and defend this nation, and our freedom and liberty.
If every American thanks just one Soldier or Vet, we should pretty much get around to them all.
What if we as a nation, as a people, tried to make everyday Memorial Day? Sometimes we forget a few simple facts. Our Military is entirely volunteer. No one is forced to join. The fact that ordinary people volunteer every day to leave their homes, families, and their "normal" way of life to go to far away places, and defend the United States is really quite extraordinary.
Every single person in America is effected daily in some way by the U.S. Military. If they are not the family member or friend of someone who is currently serving or has served, then perhaps they work as a Civilian on a Military base. Maybe they are employed in an industry that is closely related to the Military, like Boeing.
We all see Military Personnel out and about in our everyday lives. In the Grocery store, Pharmacy, or Wal-Mart, it is quite possible that you will see someone in uniform or fatigues with their family. What if, right then and there, we stopped, shook their hand, and thanked them, and their families, for their service. What if everyone in America donated one dollar to a Military Charity. What great things that we could do for our fighting men and women. What if we made sure that our Veteran's Hospitals were state-of-the-art, so that our soldiers who came home injured could receive the best care possible. Not just for the injury that they may be dealing with currently, but for any other future treatment they might need.
Every person in America knows a currently serving soldier, or Veteran. It is a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker. What if each of us thanked just one?
My public Thank You would be to my good friend Martin Baker. Martin is a former Navy SEAL. He does not like to talk about his time in the Military very much. Like a lot of Vets, he looks at it as just another period of his life. I don't know much about Military training, but I do know that not just anyone can be a Navy SEAL, or a Soldier. They are the best of the best. The cream of the crop.
If every American thanks just one Soldier or Vet, we should pretty much get around to them all.
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