Years ago I remember watching the movie Saving Private Ryan and being horrified at the brutality of beach landing. I found it very hard to watch. I knew my dad was involved in a beach landing on Okinawa as part of the 1st Marine Division during WWII so I asked him what he thought. His comment? “It was far worse than that.”

While my dad talked very little about his time in the U.S. Marine Corps, he was very proud of the Marines and of his service. He was not proud of the fighting but saw it as a necessary part of what his generation was required to do. He said many times, “I fought so you wouldn’t have to.”

That sentiment sums up my feelings for all those who have serve and are serving in the armed forces of the United States of America. WWII was supposed to be the war to end all wars (as was WWI) but, as we know, it wasn’t. There are those who would, if they could, bring an end to our freedoms. Thank you ALL who are serving and sacrificing. While there are many things I would love to change about America, this is still a great country rooted in freedom of expression (speech and religion) and grounded in a system of laws that give us recourse when we are wronged.

May we never forget those who have sacrificed so much for so many. Remembering and appreciating. Memorial Day 2013.