TAKE A MOMENT THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

It’s interesting how you learn to play with guns early when you are a boy. You can play “cowboys and Indians” but you can also play army and soldiers. I watched enough World War II movies when I was young to get an idea about war, and especially World War II, of course. The classic movies “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” and “The Best Years of Our Lives” in particular made a big impression on me. Unsurprisingly (if you are my age), John Wayne played a big role in my understanding of war. I found these war movies inspiring but, of course, you don’t realize what it’s like to be on the front lines fighting in some dark place for what we call freedom. 

Many years ago I was in Harbor Island, enjoying  a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a small plaque on a tree with a name on it and under the name was written: He made the supreme sacrifice. I had never before looked at going to war as a sacrifice. I only saw it as a victory. The plaque made me think for the first time of what that sacrifice could mean. It could mean fighting for our country to stay free in a world where life is cheap and totalitarian regimes rear their ugly faces almost everywhere as a threat to all of us. Above all, it made me think about the very real loss of someone who was loved, who is missed, and who died much too soon.

So, while you are enjoying your memorial weekend, do remember those who made the supreme sacrifice.  MEH