Giving Thanks on Memorial Day

Family members serving in the military influenced us. May not be your parents, may be other generations like grand parents or great uncles. Their attitudes influence family members and get passed down to children for generations to come.

Service men and women are taught to deal with adversity. No plan survives first encounters with the enemy. We learn from what did not go well and failures. New plans, processes or strategies evolve, and then are tried quickly. Successes and reasoning are taught next generations. Resilience along with laughter to survive troubles.

Don’t underestimate the sacrifices and learning at home. Mothers and grandparents often worked and raised successful children during trying years. Their lessons permeate our culture. My great uncles and uncles who served taught my dad who shared their life lessons with us.

Their lessons are why we will survive the pandemic, social distancing, job losses, grief and suffering. Generations before us sacrificed to thrive. We will sacrifice.

This year first responders and medical professionals share the stage with our military. We have lost many good people and colleagues in our pandemic despite best efforts. Keep all people who serve in your prayers.

Remembering Good Men and Women

Memorial Day is here and fortunate to grow up with mentors and friends who served in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. They all say the heroes were the ones who did not return. Which is true. But these people all worked and fought in horrific conditions for their brethren soldiers, sailors, marines, air force, coast guard and national guard. They did not want to let anyone down.

They returned to the USA to raise families and build our society. They joined groups, charities, churches, and created businesses. They joined our political process, schools, colleges and created the prosperity we have today. They did the extraordinary and maintained their humanity, caring, charity, faith and confidence. If something went wrong, they had been through worse, and had faith all would thrive.

Please take some time this weekend to remember those who came before us. We are living on the shoulders of ordinary people who became giants.

Serving Others

Memorial Day honors fallen soldiers. We remember their service to our freedoms and country. Most veterans I know say were not heroes. The heroes were those who did not come home.

While this is a great point, we have the soldiers’ and families’ sacrifices including missing time with loved ones. While they say just doing my job, it is quite a job the soldiers and veterans preformed.

People overlook the benefits of military service. You know your work is important and matters. The camaraderie and respect of your peers is hard to replace. As much as they served our country, they served their fellow soldiers. Wartime vets talk about how they fought for the guys with them. They were part of a bigger team and purpose carrying them through hardships.

Blue Angels

We all aren’t soldiers, but we can all serve other people. Charity and service are the biggest joys of life. It gets us out of our heads.

Activities and sports help children grow into responsible adults. Pastors and counselors help people grow through hard times. Charities improve the lives of the suffering. Take comfort with small triumphs. Together we create a better world.

Help a neighbor or relative. Pack or help them move. Lend a skill you have to a stranger or a child. Never know how good you will feel.

This weekend remember those who are no longer with us. Honor veterans and soldiers around us by serving someone who needs it.