A Memorial Day service in Illinois with my kids.

Being an Air Force and Gulf War Veteran Holidays like Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day always have a special meaning.  On Friday I posted a quick blurb, “What is Memorial Day to You?”  I was overwhelmed by responses from all my network friends and connections so here are some of the comments and reflections I received back.  I hope all the contributors don’t mind.

Memorial Day Reflections:

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the freedoms we have and those who have fought and died to preserve them. My dad is a WWII vet and I have multiple cousins serving domestically and abroad, so for me it is a time to appreciate and pray for those sacrificing, so the rest of us can have bbq’s and spend time with our families. We must not forget the families of those serving as well, as they face emotional, financial and marital strains during and after deployment. To those of you that have served and are serving, thank you and God Bless.
Posted by Steve Brainard

What does Memorial Day mean to me? I’ve been to Normandy….I have seen the rows and rows of fallen Americans who will never come home and whose loved ones may not be able to visit their graves. I come from a family of those who have served. I have visited a concentration camp in Germany…..Memorial Day is a day to be proud to be an American and to remember those who have and those who continue to make this possible! Pause and remember.
Posted by Sandra Griffith

For us, it is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many men, women, families and communities for country and our way of life.
Posted by Betina Frisone

As a graduate of the Air Force Academy having friends stationed around the world – and having buried several of them – it is a powerful time to reflect. It’s ironic how the anti-war crowd call those of us who have served “war-mongers.” Having served and buried friends I know I speak for all of them that we’re the last ones that want war to break out because the bullets will be aimed at us. However, we know that some things are worth fighting for, like freedom of speech, religion, press…and freedom to call us war-mongers as we do what they are unwilling and unable to do.  May God continue to Bless America.
Posted by Wes Schaeffer

As the daughter of a WW2 Army Veteran who earned 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars ( w/Valor ) and 2 Purple Hearts..and a son who is a former Marine.and Army MP..( and a College Grad)….I have my flags out..and tears everytime I think of those who gave their lives for this great country..that sometime soon..will find its courage and strength back to go in the right direction again..God Bless America…and Us All. I resent those who have not served and make judgments and decisions and have never sacrificed anything…
Posted by Andrea Antoniazzi Devlin

Memorial Day is the chance for the rest of the nation to show their thanks to the men I miss every day.
Posted by Ray Rothfeldt

It use to mean a day off work, then a day off college (I went back and finished my degree), now it’s just another day… However, I’ve always thought about those we’ve lost to whatever circumstance – kind of a day of remembrance.
Thanks to all the service people active or retired.
Posted by Dawn Drury

To me, Memorial Day is a day to celebrate our special brotherhood and the fallen brothers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Posted by J.C. Banks LPI/CPS

I was in the USAF from Sept 1972 to Sept 1976. Memorial Day is a time that I remember the ultimate sacrifice paid by my brother & sister Vets from all branches. They gave their lives mostly for their fellow soldiers and we enjoy the luxuries and freedom we have because of them. Also it is a time to thank those still living for their willingness to serve and face the hardships, being away from family, living in danger zones, remote duty, loneliness, isolation. Thank and remember Veterans this weekend.
Daniel Laust, Sgt USAF 1976

Celebrating the Men and Women you gave up their lives and the ones who are still fighting for what we have in the USA.. = )
Posted by Christopher Lee

Memorial Day is a day when all Americans should stop for a moment and say “Thank you to all Military past and present for some gave it all to make this day possible and this country Free for all.” before thinking of all the fun and enjoyment of a long weekend. God Bless our Troops and God Bless the USA.
Posted by Elmer Reyes

I too am a Desert Storm Vet,, this day meant Thank you to all those that made it safe for me as I grew up in the earlier years… Now,, I’m Proud to be able to stand among my brothers in arms and say thank you to those serving now, before, and those who have fallen. To all vets everywhere around the world of this good old USA. What does Memorial Day mean to me? More then I can say in words,,, I still get goose bumps when I hear the National Anthem as I Salute our Flag. Love and Honor of Country.  More then I can say.
Posted by James Diaz LION

Hi all First thank you all for your service to our nation my brother and sisters in arms.

Memorial day to me is to honor the sacrifice each and every fallen military member and their families has made on our behalf. So that we could live free and enjoy the many blessings God has bestowed on us without fear of reprisal. And now we are extending that towards the people of Iraq and Afghanistan who have for so long have been oppressed and had no hope. God bless the widows the motherless and the fatherless ones who their loved ones died in the cause of FREEDOM!!!!
Posted by Stephen Cianflone

Memorial Day is the one day a year that everyone in this country, who has benefited from the struggles and sacrifices of our honored dead, should stop for a while and pay tribute to those who did not come back. As a veteran, and the grandson of a veteran of both world wars i do not expect praise and a day of mourning. I do not believe our brothers and sisters who made that sacrifice would want a day of tears. They died protecting our lives, our freedoms and our way of life. I would like to think my grandfather would want to see his family having a picnic, drinking a cold beverage and enjoying what he volunteered to protect. But I am sure he would appreciate the fact that some people in this country actually remembered what he did and why he did it. My father grew up without a Dad from right before his eighth birthday. That sacrifice should be honored and memorialized. It is only fair. May God bless America.
Posted by Joe Creedon

For me it is a time to put everything down; your friends, your obligations, your prejudices, etc., and reflect upon everything that has been sacrificed by those that have served. Regardless of what one feels about war – whether it is needed or not, whether it is a good and just cause or not, our brothers, sisters, friends, parents, and other family have gone and done what some will never be willing to do, and serve in one of the most selfless roles there is to be had. And in some cases they give their lives.
Whether they believe in the “cause” of the war they are in or not. And that deserves respect and honor. My father was a WWII vet who fought in Saipan in the Army AirCorps. He taught me much, while talking very little about his experiences. Like many WWII vets, he took a lot to the grave with him. But I always will remember his tears whenever Taps was played, his stiff salute whenever there was a military brother or sister around, his sad eyes when he would see the graves on Memorial Day covered in American flags at vets gravestones.
I have those same tears now – can’t handle hearing Taps without a few, and Memorial Day is a day for remembering those that we have lost, no matter if you agree with the cause or not…
Posted by Amanda Warfield

I served in the Air Force from 1969 til 1973.
All I have to say is thank each and every vet that has served this great country. And may this great country thank each and every one of us.
Jesse P, (Marty) Martinez

I urge more of you to leave a comment and share your thoughts and I thank all of you for sharing your stories.

Robb Beltran

Great Video as well.  Memorial Day Tribute.