Home of the BRAVE

It's the end of a wonderful holiday, and I could not go to bed without expressing the feelings and memories I've experienced today.

Every Memorial Day my family goes to the local cemetery to lay flowers on friends' graves as well as see the Idaho State Veteran Cemetery. Before we left, my parents showed us kids a great video about some Marines. I'll try to post a link later (it's late now and so I shouldn't take the time now to figure it out). Anyways, afterward my youngest sister and I were talking and she expressed how sad she was that people picketed and protested our government and country. I saw where her young mind was coming from, but it really made me think -- that is why our servicemen are fighting. So that we can protest. So we can have the choice to express our frustrations with government and not get thrown into prison, or worse. It was at that moment when I think I realize what "fighting for freedom" really meant. It's not just fighting against bad, it's fighting for good. It's sad that it has taken me this long, but I finally know exactly what we mean when we talk of that broad term "freedom". And I could not be more grateful for our armed forces for sacrificing so much so that I can have that. I could NOT be more grateful.

Once we were at the cemetery, we visited friends that we visit every year and just remembered their love and friendship. That in itself is a wonderful experience each year. Once we got to the Veterans' Cemetery, I remembered my experience at the tomb of the unknown soldier. I hadn't thought about that in, literally, years. My freshman year of high school, a group of students went to Washington DC for part of a trip back east. One of our stops was at Arlington National Cemetery, which was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Seeing headstone after headstone is such a somber experience. I also had the most amazing opportunity to be one of four students to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was trying to explain to my siblings how the formality of the ceremony showed honor and respect, and how it showed gratitude to all those who have served, even the unknown. I do not remember every detail that happened as I laid the wreath down. I don't remember what the guard did or how long we were there, but I remember so vividly the feelings of respect, infinite gratitude, and love that I felt for every serviceman who has made my country a land of the free and a home of the brave.

Memorial Day is a great day to have a bbq, visit local cemeteries, and remember those we love. But what I love most is the hard reminder to remember our armed forces and all the sacrifices they make for you and me. THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS. I love you, and hope that we as a country and as individuals will never take your service for granted.