I went through high school and into college during Vietnam. We saw the graphic pictures every night on 
the news, heard the promises made by politicians, and the reporting on offenses by the media. It wasn’t a pretty picture. My Air Force uncle went for a year. My Navy dad continued to hear rumors that his ship would be sent. I had friends who were drafted, a catechism teacher who became a POW (a great man, Jeremiah Denton), and my own sweetie’s draft lottery number was in the 60s, had he not stayed in school.
Some people say that nothing good comes of war. I disagree. Sometimes
war is a necessity and sacrifices are inevitable. Where would we be without the soldiers of the Revolution? What if no one had decided to enlist after Pearl Harbor? Where would the world be had America and other nations not stood shoulder to shoulder against tyranny? We’re damn lucky we have 
men and women of character who are willing to leave their families and fight for freedom and country. We honor those who died for us on Memorial Day.
It’s easy to concentrate only on the dying part of the day and not on the celebration of life. I watched a program this morning called “Modern Warriors.” The men in the show made a suggestion. They said we shouldn’t make Memorial Day depressing. They suggested that we choose someone who died during
war and throw that person a party to honor them. They said go to our barbecues, have a few drinks, be with our families, but take a moment to say thank you.
I like that idea a lot!
I like that idea a lot as well, Dee. Remembering the sacrifices by so many so we can enjoy our freedom today need not be depressing. It is sad and humbling to visit the war graves and memorials of young men and women who never came home but on our national day of remembrance-in Australia and New Zealand its Anzac Day, we should be celebrating them with a toast and cheer for their incredible contribution.