Thank you

Today is Memorial Day. It is more important than simply a day to welcome the coming of summer, something more than opening day for barbecue and picnic season. Much, much more than just a three day weekend and Big Sales at the mall.

Today is about the men and women who have given their lives in military service to our country. It does not matter if they gave their lives in a popular or unpopular war. It does not matter if they lost their lives in training accidents. By honoring those who died, we also honor those who serve. They deserve our respect, support, and appreciation. Sometimes, in our dislike for a particular military intervention, war, or activity (or for the president who ordered it or commands over it), we focus our dislike on those who are called to serve. The soldier does not choose his war though he may be drawn to serve because of one. Once in service, he goes where he is told.

I served during an unpopular war. It became common at the time to take out one's opposition to that war on the random service member. I can tell you that this hurts the service member, it damages his spirit, undermines his morale.

Today is a good day to examine your own actions and your own attitudes. Today is a day to thank those who gave their lives so you could exercise your right to disagree with your government, who go to strange and inhospitable places and face those who want to kill them, who work to keep those "front lines" from being in your neighborhood.

Thank him or her if you meet a soldier. Raise a glass in toast to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And know that these men and women are why you live in relative comfort and safety.