Rant #3,703: Time To Remember

Happy Memorial Day!

I know many of us will be going to barbecues, going to the beach, and pretty much having a nice day off, but while you are having this fun, think about the reason that you are able to enjoy yourselves--

The sacrifices of our service members, and those that made "the ultimate sacrifice" to allow us the freedom to do whatever we want.

My late father served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, as did my late father in law. 

My brother in law served in the Navy.

Happily, they made it home in one piece, but thousands of others didn't.

That is what today really is all about, to honor those in all the wars and conflicts our country has been in who didn't come home.

I think that fact is often forgotten about as we celebrate this day.

Memorial Day has almost become more well known as "the beginning of summer " even though summer doesn't actually begin until slightly less than a month from now.

But whatever the case, today is a day off for many of us--

But not me.

I gave in some things that I had completed to my work, which I am sure is closed today, but I handed it in anyway, just to get it out of the way.

I will see if there is anything else to do, and if there is, I may as well do it, but I think things will be pretty quiet.

Later in the week, I have another conference to cover, so I will take today in stride, and hope things are a little slow.

That is something our service members can't do, as they are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

My father often said that every young person should participate in mandatory military service, because he felt that this type of service could point our younger citizens in the right direction, and prepare them for the future.

I, personally, had no inclination to go into the military, but I did understand his point.

Now that I cover the military--hard to believe that I have been doing this for nearly 30 years--I do see the sacrifices made by our military members, and by their families.

It is not an easy job, a job that maybe 1 percent of the population partakes in.

And God forbid there is a conflict to participate in ...

You have to hand it to those facing such a possibility first hand.

So, when you bite into your hot dog or hamburger today, at least think, for a moment, about those who make such a happy time possible--

And those who have perished to ensure that you can have that happy time.