Taking time to remember

Memorial Day. A long anticipated three-day weekend. I will be riding and going to a baseball game today. Enjoying time with family and friends. Yet thoughts of those who gave it all are permeating through it all.

For Sean and his unit, it is another day at war. Not only will they be remembering their brothers-in-arms, especially Staff Sgt Rayvon Battle, they will be driving over to another FOB to pick up a truck that was being worked on. A simple drive to the garage. Except it’s not. Combat driving is the way Sean put it. They will gear up, get their guns at the ready, and do what is necessary. Knowing they will be shot at. Not knowing the outcome.

The last time I saw (as in Skyped) Sean, it was Mother’s Day. A firefight could be heard in the distance. I think about the mothers who are remembering their sons today. The Gold Star Mothers. I cannot even imagine what it was like for them to have that uniformed soldier knock at the door.

Ma’am on behalf of the Army I regret to inform you that your son was killed in action in Afghanistan this morning as a result of wounds received in hostile action.

Too many mothers (wives, sons, daughters, grandparents, friends, etc) have heard those words. Today is the day we pay them homage. Today we remember. Today we are thankful for all they have done. They paid the ultimate price. It is our duty to remember that. To enjoy the freedoms and liberties we have been given.

I will be going to a Memorial Day Ceremony today. I will reach out to those who know the cost of being in the military. I will remember. Not just today, but every day.

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