Memorial Day

I spent Memorial Day like a lot of other Americans, barbecuing and enjoying the day off from work.  While enjoying the fruits of my grilling labor, I began to wonder what our servicemen and women would have for a Memorial Day meal, and under what conditions they would eat that meal.

I know Memorial Day is set aside to honor the more than one million men and women who paid the ultimate price in the service of their country. I realize the parades, the US flag at half-staff, the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and all of the other events are tributes to lives lost in this country’s conflicts. But I couldn’t stop thinking that there were soldiers and marines, sailors and airmen eating MREs or having a meal in a chow hall far from home.

During World War II, 11.5% of the US population served in the military.  During Vietnam, 4.3% of the population served. Since 2001, approximately 1.4 million American service members have served in the War on Terror, or 0.45% of the US population, with over 6000 deaths and 48,000 casualties.  According to the Department of Defense website, at the end of 2011, there were roughly 1.2 million active military personnel in uniform with another nearly 900,000 in National Guard or Reserve units.

The United States has not had a military draft since 1975. Therefore, every soldier, sailor, marine, or airman currently serving chose to serve. They, and their families, make sacrifices and endure the hardships that come with military life because they chose to defend this nation.  They are the people who foot the bill for our freedom.

We should honor them and thank them for their service more than once or twice a year.  Thank a service member. Hug a soldier. Fly the US flag at your home. Put a yellow ribbon or an American flag sticker on your car.

But we should do more. Do something to show your appreciation. Donate your time, your money, and your talents.  The Military Family and Veterans Service Organizations of America website (http://mvpsoa.org/) has a list of charity organizations that help veterans, military personnel, and their families.  Get involved with the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) or Sew Much Comfort (http://www.sewmuchcomfort.org/) or any of the other organizations listed.  Send letters and care packages to personnel overseas.  There are organizations that will accept care package item donations and ship them for you or will connect you with military personnel so you can send packages yourself.

We owe the existence of the United States to the men and women who serve, bleed, and die. General Patton said, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” Show your gratitude to those who serve.