Memorial Day Thoughts

Memorial Day is a special day for our nation. For me, it is a day in which we should all take time to mourn, reflect, show gratitude, and rejoice.

First, we mourn the passing of those we’ve lost—especially those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. We mourn the fact that war continues around the world, and that we are currently engaged in conflicts due to hatred and pride of man. We mourn for families who have lost loved ones and for the pain war causes in our world.

Next, we reflect on the sacrifices of those who have given and continue to give so much for our nation. We reflect on what our freedom has cost and how dear it truly is. We reflect on our own personal lives—are we being as kind, grateful, and forgiving as we should be? We reflect on those precious things in life that matter most.

After that we show gratitude by appreciating and respecting freedom. We show gratitude by fulfilling our civic duties, by being a kind neighbor, and by standing up for what we believe to be right. We show gratitude by staying involved and interested in the well-being of our nation. We show gratitude each day by our simple interactions with each other. We show gratitude by being respectful of life.

Finally, we rejoice in the good that exists in our world. We rejoice in our freedom. We rejoice in the courage, love, and example of those who have gone before us and for those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We rejoice in time spent with family and friends. We rejoice that we are alive.

I hope during this Memorial Day each of us takes time to mourn a little, reflect a little, show a little more gratitude, and rejoice a little together. God bless America!