where honor is due...

When I asked Ben the other day why we celebrate Memorial Day his response was, "to honor the fallen." What a true response.
Memorial Day is not just another day off work and school, not a day of sales, not about BBQ's, a camping trip and not about gatherings. Yet it is a day to remember all those who have valiantly given their lives for our freedom. It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with past or present wars because what it boils down to is men and women have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. They have taken on the task of that and have not been forced but have volunteered.
When growing up I remember we would go and put flags in front of the headstones of fallen soldiers. The Memorial Day before our accident they were looking for volunteers to do the same at one of the near bye post grave yards of fallen soldiers. Ben had to work they morning of the flag placing but my little brother was in town and so we decided to do it. We were not the only ones there. There were mothers, little children, veterans, elderly...all there to honor those who had served. I will never forget that moment. It was humbling and my heart swelled with pride. I remember reading the names, seeing the dates and looking at the headstones of which these men and women's lives were laid under. I could only imagine if I had a loved one their and just to know that someone was there honoring them would be such a blessing. The task of placing the flag in the ground was not done haphazardly. We were given a piece of dowling to measure the exact distance from the end of the headstone out and then use that same dowling to put a hole in the ground for the flag. Each flag was the same distance from the headstone. When you looked across the grassy fields now you not only saw perfectly placed headstones but now perfectly placed flags in front. If you ever have the chance to do this....do it!
I think the most humbling part about the experience was to see the empty spaces. The ones that didn't have a name or a cross yet but a simple marker that one would be place. My heart broke to see these because that meant there would be another fallen soldier. My thoughts went to Ben...it could be him! This scared me but at the same time I was at peace. This job was something God had called him to do. No one else asked him, encouraged, forced, pushed, prodded...it was a decision between Ben and the Lord. He heard God say "Go" and he went. Ben has taken great pride in serving his country and he has done an AMAZING job! Still to this day (and this morning) Ben has woken up and said, "I need to get better so I can go back to work!" This is his calling and I am grateful to him!
He like many other soldiers take pride in what they do. They want to do their job well, they want to succeed. This is no easy task for them but they do it proudly!
This is where they need to be honored! Those who have already given their lives and those whom are still serving. Appreciate them, pray for them and give them your thanks. Many soldiers like Ben don't like all the appreciation and hoopla because they know it is their job and duty but when someone goes out of their way just to say, "thank you" the meaning of that goes deep into their hearts.
Also, thank the families who have lost someone. They also need to be honored because they are deeply affected by the loss of a loved one. Thank the Kesslers, Emma, Kiley, Erin, Brittany, Catie-Anne, Grider family, the McDowells, Miles, Caroline, Hildago family and so many others...
It is our duty, priviledge and honor do to this!
Not to say that we shouldn't have BBQ's, go shopping and the things listed above but don't forget to pause, remember where we are, what we have and for the thousands who have and are making sacrifices for our freedom!


{our lil Georgian friends}