And
I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the ones who died
And I won't forget the ones who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
- Lee Greenwood
This weekend is the official start of summer for most of
America. We will celebrate on the lake,
at the pool, floating the river or at home with friends and family. We will enjoy hotdogs, hamburgers, barbecue,
potato salad, cole slaw, beer, soda and a host of other foods and drinks. We will laugh, brag, cry, argue and
play. We will sleep until noon, eat
often, and go to bed way too late.
Hopefully it will be a great holiday weekend, celebrating a little piece of who we
are and why we love our country. The freedom
to be ourselves, eat what we want, go where we wish, and enjoy life how we desire.
However, these freedoms did not come without sacrifice. Some of you are sacrificing right now. Some of you are men and women of our Armed
Forces on active duty and reserve. You are
stationed around the world, or you are lucky to be at home, but always one phone
call away from harm’s way. Some of you
are wives and husbands of these brave men and women, and you hold down the fort
while they are gone. Some of you are
parents and children, and you pray every day for their safe return. Some of you have served your country in the
past, some of you retired from the military, and some of you were wounded. To all of you, we say thank you. Thank you for your service, thank you for
your sacrifice, thank you for being willing to go when called.
"All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all"
- Billy Ray Cyrus
Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Many have given their life so that we can be
free. To those men and women, we wish we could say thank you. We wish we could let
them know how grateful we are and how humbled we are at their sacrifice, but we cannot. However, we can say thank you to
their families. To the wives, husbands,
brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and parents of those who have given their
life, thank you. Your father, mother,
husband, wife, brother, sister, son or daughter were willing to go when called
and made the ultimate sacrifice and they will not be forgotten.
So, on this Memorial Day 2012, celebrate the best way you
know how. Enjoy the weekend and have
fun. Just take a minute to remember
those who have sacrificed and those who continue to sacrifice. And if you meet one of our brave men and women
or their families, be sure to tell them thank you. They deserve it.
Happy Memorial Day!
Stay safe!!
