Memorial Day!

 What is Memorial Day?  Is it the day we officially kick of summer?  Is it a day we get off from school and work?  No.  It is a day to remember.

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May.^[1] Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.^[2] Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. (from wikipedia)

It's a day that I remember those who sacrificed their life for a greater good.  It's a day where the words honor, integrity, sacrifice, service, loyalty, bravery and patriotism mean just that much more and can evoke emotions that normally don't get evoked.  It's a day for us to remember to say thank you to those who aren't around to hear it any more.

I loved driving around my neighborhood today and seeing hundreds of flags flying high and proud.  I loved seeing my daughter come downstairs covered in red, white and blue.  I loved looking at all the pictures friends posted online reminding us what the day is for.  I loved reading the poem by John McCrae, written May 1915;

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Now after all that remembering I'm also ready to kick off the summer, which is my absolute most favorite time of the year.  We had family over, Played games,  BBQd and had an all out good time.  Nothing says summer like the kids running around through the neighborhood playing tag or basketball until it's almost to dark to see.