As in recent years, today we find our nation at war.  Since my last Memorial Day message, 902 warriors have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  It is for these brave men and women, and the hundreds of thousands that have given their lives in defense of this great nation in the last 230 years that Memorial Day was created. 

Memorial Day 2006

Greeting friends and family and everyone else that gets this message! 

As is the norm, I am sending out a message to my fellow Americans reminding them of the significance of Memorial Day.  Before I get to that though, two quick notes:

As always, you can read my blog and my past annual messages on my website at http://www.tonysrants.com.  The Special Messages section has my previous Memorial Day, Veterans Day, etc messages.

Second, I usually ask that if you like my messages you take the time to donate to a veteran / military related cause.  This year I ask for help with a project that is very near and dear to me.  In the past year I have become involved with a project to build a veterans memorial in the town in which I live.  Memorials to those who have sacrificed so much serve as not only a way to honor those men and women but also to serve as a reminder to everyone of the cost some have paid in service of this great nation.  Should you be so inclined, please visit http://www.thorntonveteransmemorial.org/ and on the main page is a link to make a donation via credit card / PayPal.  Any contribution would be greatly appreciated and go toward making this very important memorial a reality.  Naturally your contribution is tax deductible and it obviously is a worthy cause. 

And finally, my annual Memorial Day message... 

As in recent years, today we find our nation at war.  Since my last Memorial Day message, 902 warriors have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  It is for these brave men and women, and the hundreds of thousands that have given their lives in defense of this great nation in the last 230 years that Memorial Day was created. 

On this day we honor those who have died in military service for the United States of America.  It is fitting that we remember all who have died for the cause of freedom for freedom is the greatest gift God has given us and it is that unalienable right on which this nation was founded.  Since the birth of this nation, our history has been written in the blood of patriots - from its infancy when the founders of this country stood up against a tyrant king, to a great civil war that threatened to tear the nation asunder, to foreign shores where we fought tyranny and evil that threatened our way of life.  The bravest of our countrymen have stood up and said this nation is worth fighting for, freedom is worth fighting for.

Many times has the call gone forth for defenders of freedom and many have answered the call.  These brave men and women willingly and bravely stepped forward to serve with devotion to preserve the liberties and freedoms enjoyed by Americans today and those across the globe that seek the same.  Parents, grandparents, sons, daughters, friends and neighbors have died defending this nation and opposing tyranny on distant shores.  None went because they wanted to die but rather they went out of a greater sense of purpose.  Knowing that wearing that uniform could cost them their lives, they went out of a sense of honor, duty and allegiance to the principles and freedoms by which we live.

Freedom and the blessings it brings often exact the ultimate sacrifice.  Throughout our history Americans like those serving today have been willing to step forward and make that sacrifice.  It is their legacy that is carried forth today by those soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen serving here and on distant shores.  Today we hear the echo of their battle cry and we should be comforted by the heritage of courage they have given us.  We find inspiration in the sacrifice they have made and know that their loss has preserved a country and a way of life that serves as a beacon for all freedom loving people. 

Memorial Day is not about barbeques, going to the lake or the swimming pool.  Memorial Day is about those that have fallen, those that have given the greatest measure of effort and paid the highest price.  For it is their lives and the blood they have shed that have given us the right and the freedom to enjoy this holiday weekend. 

Do not forget them.  NEVER FORGET!  Honor them!  Honor them by taking the time on Monday, Memorial Day, to recognize their sacrifice.  You don't need to do anything extraordinary.  Maybe just take 60 seconds and bow your head and say a prayer for them.  The smallest form of recognition is the least they deserve.  Acknowledge the price they have paid, whisper a thank you and be faithful to their sacrifice.  To not take this small measure dishonors them and dishonors this country.

This Memorial Day join with the families and friends of those mourning the loss of loved ones who died in service to this country, to assure them that the memory and spirit of our fallen patriots did not die with them.   Give thanks to these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice out of love for God and country. 

Pray for the safety of those who now stand vigilant to protect us and our freedoms.  They and their families are truly this nation's greatest treasure.  We are honored by their service and we thank them and we thank God that there are those that carry the mantle of freedom forth. 

In closing, I am reminded of a couple lines from a story that circulates every now and then... 

And when he gets to Heaven
St. Peter he will tell,
One more soldier reporting sir,
I've served my time in Hell.

May God grant peace to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, may God bless those currently in service to this great nation, and may God bless America.

 T