Memorial Day 2010

Kids,

A couple days late on this, as we all spent the weekend at the vacation home with Grandma and Grandpa. A great time as always. It was also a great time to thank those who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that Americans so often take for granted. Knowing the history of your Grandpa's time in Vietnam, after coming over to the States as an immigrant from Canada, receiving the Purple Heart for his wounds, is important to your history. Indeed, if your Grandpa did not make it out of that jungle back in 1970, the path of history for all of us would have been much different.

In fact, you would not have a Grandpa, Aunt Laura or Uncle Mike. There are deeper questions as well. How would Grandma have responded to being a single Mom. Would I have achieved the success I've enjoyed these many years? Where would I be now? What would have happened? Would I have met your mother? Many of these question explain my belief in fate, that there is a reason that things happen as they do. Exactly why, we will not know until later, but there is a reason.

Then you have your Papa, who was a Green Beret stationed in Europe in the 60s. Uncle Mike, who was in the Army during the 90s, spending part of this time on the DMZ in South Korea. And now, cousin DJ, who will be joining the ROTC at Arizona State. All of these soldiers were and are the reason that our great country has survived over the years. And you must always remember that great men and women died to keep you free. There is no greater calling.

Here's one of the quotes I've found over the years that says it all. It's been attributed to both Orwell and Churchill, but has not been 100% verified. That said, it makes the point crystal clear:

"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."

God Bless the USA and all branches of the armed forces!