This picture, originally
posted on Facebook, really touched me. It’s a vivid reminder of the families
who have suffered a loss that only those who have suffered a similar loss can
fully understand. I haven’t, but my heart hurts for those who have. Spouses,
parents, children of our fallen heroes gave a sacrifice as great as the soldier
who died. Maybe greater. They live with the heartache every day while the
soldier has gone to his/her reward.
My dad and his brothers
fought in WWII, one of my grandfathers in WWI, a great-great grandfather in the
Civil War, and a multi-great grandfather in the Revolutionary War. An uncle and
a good friend were police officers. Their service ensured that we are still a
country of freedoms. Freedoms we often take for granted, forgetting that many
people in this world don't have them.
Post-apocalyptic
movies and books show us what happens when society breaks down. Law and order
is gone. Chaos reigns. Those with the power and weapons rule. Might makes
right. Heaven help the rest. While I love movies and books, those that show the
disintegration of civilization make me so uncomfortable I can’t watch or read
them. The reality is too horrifying to contemplate.
While we enjoy our
three-day weekend, have our picnics, kick off the beginning of summer, maybe we
can take a moment and thank those who died protecting our freedoms.
Diane Burton writes romantic suspense, mysteries, and science fiction romance. She blogs here on the 30th of the month, on Paranormal Romantics on the 13th, and on her own blog on Mondays.
16 comments:
So true, Diane. Freedom is not free. Many in my family served too. A huge sacrifice we can never forget.
Thanks, Margo.
Thanks for a thoughtful blog. Our freedom rests with these fallen vets. May we always remember their sacrifice.
Like Margo said, so true. Many in my and my husband's families have served. We have been fortunate that none died in combat, but I have known families who have suffered that loss, and it's a heartbreak that never goes away. Thank you for your reminder of their sacrifices.
Hear, Hear! I am here and who I am because my Dad returned from WWII (Guadacanal) wounded, but determined to bring light back in the world after a horrible war. Five kids, a fine career as an Army Officer and the GI bill...the baby boom exploded...evidence of hope and freedom. Lucky, we are!
Amen, Diane.
Amen, Diane.
Very well spoken, Diane. A lovely post.
Lovely tribute, Diane.
Thanks so much for reminding us, Diane, and for sharing your own family's story.
Andrea
http://andreadowning.com
So true, Susan.
Leah, I can't imagine the heartbreak of those who lost a spouse, son/daughter, father/mother in service.
Rolynn, I'm with you.
Mack, Vonnie, Jannine, & Andrea, thanks for stopping by.
What a beautiful and fitting post. Thank you for reminding us to appreciate the true meaning of Memorial Day. My dad was in WWII as well, and I've known many who have served. Their sacrifice is beyond measure. That photo made me cry.
I come from a long line of service men and women. No one I knew was lost at war, other than the husband of an acquaintance who had the ill luck to be sick and in his barracks on a day where insurgents shot a missile into them. He was the only casualty. It was stunning news when it came in. I'm grateful to everything our soldiers do and have done for us. I'm grateful my loved ones have made it back. And I'm grateful to those who have given their lives for us to keep our freedoms. That includes police officers, who fight a war on their own turf every day, and sometimes lose their lives because of it.
That photo is so poignant, Alicia. It choked me up, too.
Shannon, ditto. I'm so glad Memorial Day includes police who died in service. They truly are the first line of defense for our freedom. How sad about the soldier who died. That had to be stunning, esp for those who knew him.
Freedom is never free. My uncles fought in WW !!, my cousins in Vietnam. I know they paid the price. Thanks God for people willing to fight for our freedoms.
So true, Barb.
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