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| Flag on parade at Old World Wisconsin 7/4/2015 dwm photo |
For me this year, its a four day break from work to spend time with family. For others, the holiday is about getting on the water for the first time or firing up the grill.
All of us, I hope, take some time to honor the men and women who served our country and recognize their sacrifice.
The holiday began as Decoration Day three years after the end of the Civil War (according to the Veterans Administration website), and May 30 was chosen as the date.
In the year 2000, Congress created a Moment of Remembrance, 3 pm local time for a minute of silence to honor those who died in service to the United States.
It is important to do on a national scale, but it becomes real at the family level as stories are shared about grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and children and their service.
My uncle was on a boat heading across the Pacific when World War II ended. An aunt served in the Army in the 1970s. My father-in-law served in Korea and was an active member of the American Legion.
As we pause to honor the men and women serving in the military - let's give our thanks to their families as well. It is a different type of sacrifice, but there is no doubt the families of service members are giving their own blood, sweat, and tears for the USA.
It is something on which we can all agree.
It is OK to disagree with the politics of wars. But it is a different subject when it comes to the service members, past or present, and the value of their valor.
Thank you.
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