Remembering Those Who Paid Our Bill

Freedom isn't free. Remember who paid our bill, Friends.

Hiya, Friends!  Today's Memorial Day.  I won't say "Happy Memorial Day!" or anything like that, because I don't think that's very appropriate. 
I was looking through my Big Board Book of Holidays, and was surprised to learn that Memorial Day was not created just to have a day where people can eat potato salad and shop at stores offering deep discounts for the day. 

I understand there is some confusion over Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and I am happy to clear up that confusion.  You see, Memorial Day is a day upon which we remember those who died while serving, while Memorial Day celebrates all veterans.  Does that mean you can't tell a veteran thank you for his or her service on Memorial Day?  Absolutely not.

I've been told that sometimes for Big People, remembering hurts, and today, veterans will be remembering their friends who never came home.  Even if it has been years and years, it's bound to be a hard day for those veterans.  I don't think that those of us who've never been where they've been can really understand what they went through, or how they might not feel like they're the lucky ones who got to come home to celebrate Memorial Day.  I don't think we should even try to pretend to understand what those veterans are feeling or thinking today.

What we CAN do, Friends, is if they have a story to tell, we can listen.  If they don't want to talk about it, we can not press them to.  If they want to eat potato salad, make 'em up a plate and sit next to them at the picnic.  Or don't sit next to them if you're a person who bugs the living daylights out of them.

And we can certainly, CERTAINLY thank the veterans we see today for their service.  There are three hundred sixty-five days a year.  There are only a handful of days each year set aside for us to specifically think about, remember, and honor those who have served so our way of life is possible.  We should be saying "Thank You" to them, every chance we get, Friends.  We really should. 

So.  Have a good Memorial Day.  Thank the veterans you see.  Hug the ones who'll take a hug.  But please remember that Memorial Day is about far more than a three-day weekend, sales, and picnics.  Please remember that. 

Freedom isn't free, and today's the day we need to remember those who paid our bill.