Memorial Day Musings

Today is Memorial Day. It is the day set aside once a year to remember those valiant men and women who have fought for the freedom of all American citizens and who paid the ultimate price for our freedom - death in the line of duty.

Unfortunately, many Americans, myself included, see this day as the "first official day of the summer season," a day to finish those odd and end jobs around the house that we started sometime last year, a day to gather with family and friends for the first cook-out of the season or a day to relax and rest before our summer activities begin. Don't misunderstand me -- there is nothing wrong with any of these pursuits! The problem is we do these things to the exclusion of the true purpose of the holiday - - honoring the men and women who gave their life so that the United States of America continues to be "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

This day has nothing to do with our political affliation. It doesn't matter if we agreed with past administrations and past wars or the current administration and the current war and conflicts. This day has everything to do with taking time to remember and to give thanks that we live in a nation that, despite all of her flaws and problems, (and there are many) is still the greatest nation on the earth.

Today, at 3:00 PM EST, Americans are being urged to take time to give thanks for our freedom and for the men and women who have made that possible. No matter what I'm doing this afternoon at 3PM, I will stop and thank God for my freedom and for those who have made that freedom possible. I will also thank Him for our current military serving in posts around the world. Please consider taking a moment and joining with me in prayer!

This blog is dedicated to my son, Sgt. Anthony Kyle Bond, currently serving in the United States Marine Corps, in New Orleans, LA. Kyle has served two tours in Iraq. Kyle, I love you and I am so very proud of you! Thank you for what you have done to ensure the freedom of all Americans!

(c) 2009 Edwina E. Cowgill