Monday Moment - Grateful to Remember

It's a beautiful day in my community today, bright, clear skies, warm with a cool and ready breeze - a great day for a parade! And that's exactly how my honey and I - and a substantial number of our population spent this Memorial Day morning.

"It's a slice of Americana." "Good to see you!" "Look at the little ones!" "That high school band is something!" These are all things I heard. There was an attitude of appreciation for every fire truck, ambulance, Brownie, Cub Scout, and parent that marched before us. Families, kids, and even dogs all seemed happy for the excuse to gather - and to express the appreciation that we feel.

The appreciation was most tangible right from the start of the parade as a large group of veterans - many in wheelchairs and quite a few from World War II as well as more recent conflicts - led off. As they wheeled or ambled past, the crowd stood and applauded.

Our community is host to a Veterans Hospital which is the only home many of our local Vets have known since they returned from their service. I couldn't help but think about the lives that these old men had hoped to live when they were young, whole, and hopeful. I'm sure that living out their lives in a VA Hospital wasn't in their plan, and I became aware in a new way of just how much they gave.

Marching along with the group of Vets were a few young moms pushing a stroller or pulling along a wagon occupied with a flag-waving pre-schooler. When I saw the kids, I thought, "I'll bet they haven't served overseas." But then I thought again. As a spectator, I couldn't be certain, but I began to wonder if these were families of soldiers now serving in Iraq. As I considered the possibility, my gratitude grew.

I feel grateful to those whose lives were interrupted in ways they couldn't predict and wouldn't have chosen - as well as those whose lives were lost entirely. I feel grateful to soldiers serving in the best way they know how under what must often seem like insurmountable conditions. I'm grateful to families who must recognize that their husbands, wives, sons, and daughters, mommies, and daddies may not return - and certainly won't ever be quite the same people they were before.

I'm grateful to our community's parade organizers who were astute enough to know that amidst the fun and fanfare of a slice of Americana, we'd also want to demonstrate our gratitude to those who serve - in whatever capacity that may be. I'm grateful to individuals and organizations who are doing far more than I to help soldiers and families feel remembered and honored on days beyond those few we set aside for them. I'm grateful that I have been allowed - due to their diligence and willingness to serve and protect - to live out the life I have planned.

And I'm grateful to live in a community and country that strives to be worthy of the sacrifices that have been made in our name. It's a healthy thing to be grateful - and to strive for higher levels of excellence as well!