Memorial Weekend

This is a special weekend.  As a child growing up in Ohio we had a huge parade every Memorial Day weekend.  It seemed like it lasted hours and the entire city turned out to watch.  The floats were very elaborate.  I loved every second of it.

I had no idea what was really going on. What the celebration was all about. Why all of the American Flags?  Why all the military honor guards?  Why all of the bands playing patriotic music?  Why the parade ended at the city's cemetery?  Why so many visited the cemetery and why they were all decorated with beautiful flowers?  As a kid it was all just Red, White and Blue to me. Just great times and great memories for me.

Now, as an adult, I get it.  We honor the memories of our loved ones that have come and gone.  We honor our hero's that have protected our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and our boarders.

This Memorial Day take a few minutes to honor those you love that have gone ahead of you and those that loved our country enough to give their lives so we can have freedom.