Living with diabetes
Friday, June 02, 2006
Memorial Day
I realize this is a few days late, but I knew I wanted to write about it, as it touched my heart and opened my eyes.
Many times we take the Memorial day holiday for granted. it is another day we are free from work, it is the first day of summer, it is another day for picnics and fun, and unless we have been touched by the sacrifice, humility, and courage of war through an immediate family member then the true meaning gets extremely diluted.
The week of May 20-26 my boyfriend and I were on vacation in Washington DC. We headed home Saturday May 27th. We realized it was Memorial Day weekend, but we did not want to be caught in the hubbub of the ensuing crowds for the holiday. And even though we were not there for all of Memorial day weekend we still saw a glimpse of it before the trip home.
On the twilight tour of the monuments and memorials Friday evening I saw the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in different light than during the day, or during any regular night.
Being there during the day there is still a solemn feeling that I felt at every memorial and monument. You realized the ground you were standing on was sacred as it represented a big part of our history. History that changed our nation. And rather I or anyone agrees with the direction or leadership of the nation currently, you realize the hearts; souls; courage; and wisdom you are surrounded by in these sites. There wasn't much to say or that you wanted to say because of the lives represented. The lives that fought for OUR freedom through volunteering or being drafted. The brave lives that new what had to be done in the midst of battlefields abroad and on their home field; coming back to a nation that shunned them for doing what their country called them to do. Just because one may not agree with a fight or war at hand, we have to realize those are our soldiers fighting for freedom, we have to recognize and respect them for their endeavors and welcome them back with open arms.
On Friday May 26, 2006 I saw the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall lined with 100s of veterans who rode in on their bikes for Memorial Day weekend. I honestly was not prepared for the way this site would effect me. My eyes teared up as I walked closer, and closer, and closer. I realized the sacrifice of all these veterans, the names on the wall - rather known by me or not..they were people who fought and lost their lives and they mean just as much as anyone and anything - and the many individuals in other wars: Korean War, World War II, Iwo Jima, Revolutionary War, etc (I do apologize as I can't remember all the wars, but I do wholeheartedly mean ALL of them) who fought so bravely for this thing we call freedom. I honestly considered shaking as many hands as I could and saying "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you" Thank you for fighting for the FREEDOM we take for granted everyday, the FREEDOM that we forget even on Memorial Day, the FREEDOM that always comes with a price, the FREEDOM that we all deserve, and the FREEDOM of rememberance.
