Not all...

[mwardncsu]

This is something I wrote a few years back and have made a point of sharing each year as we come into Memorial Day - so that I, and others, remember what the day is about.

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This weekend, Memorial Day weekend, marks the unofficial start of Summer. The lake will be buzzing with Jet skis & pleasure boats, fishermen cursing them while trying to land that "big one", children & teens laughing and screaming being pulled on tubes, skis & wake-boards, jumping off docks, playing with swim noodles. Grills will be sizzling with burgers and rib-eyes while sodas and beer will be cooling on ice.

Many will be enjoying this three-day weekend. A short break from our day to day lives, a chance to rest, enjoy time and catch up with family & friends. An opportunity to do what we want in that moment, indoors, outdoors, wherever.

Not all will have that opportunity this weekend.

Not all will be able to enjoy a bit of time in or on the water, with friends and family.

Not all will be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and the sounds of Summer that grace us now.

Not all... not those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Nation, in service to us, in service to you. They gave all to protect the ideal of what our Nation stands for, what it can, should and will be. They gave everything to protect the ideals of Freedom for us both here at home as well as for others abroad.

So, as we enjoy our burgers & beer, as we listen to the children playing and the cicadas in the distance, take a moment on this Memorial Day and remember those that gave all.

[rdnkjp]

I don't think anyone could have said it better. Thank you Mward for reminding us what this weekend is really about. My Son spent 3 years serving in The Old Guard at Arlington laying his Brothers to rest. I have been there once when very young and again while he was stationed there. It is an amazing place with lots of history and very much respect for those that gave the Ultimate Sacrifice. Many thanks to all who have served our great Nation.

[fatdaddy]

Thanks M,Ward alsome

[31Airborne]

All gave some, some gave all. We are a blessed nation.

[Deleted]

   
   Amen!!!!

[greg]

That's awesome, I had to share with my fishing club.

[Deleted]

Did you know about this on 9-11?

AFTER FLIGHT 77 HIT THE PENTAGON ON 9/11, THE FOLLOWING HAPPENED.

A daycare facility inside the Pentagon had many children, including infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do.

There were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that would need to be taken out with the cribs. There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers.

Just then a young Marine came running into the center and asked what they needed. After hearing what the center director was trying to do, he ran back out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, "Well, here we are, on our own."

About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 other Marines in tow. Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering up toddlers.

The director and her staff then helped them take all the children out of the center and down toward the park near the Potomac .

Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing - they formed a circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered wagons in the Old West.

Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers, to keep them from wandering off. Outside this circle were the 40 Marines, forming a perimeter around the children and waiting for instructions. There they remained until the parents could be notified and come get their children.

The chaplain then said, "I don't think any of us saw nor heard of this on any of the news stories of the day. It was an incredible story of our men there.” There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

The thought of those Marines and what they did and how fast they reacted; could we expect any less from them? It was one of the most touching stories from the Pentagon.

It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the military, please pray for our men and women, who have served and are currently serving our country, and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom