Memorial Day Weekend

As the weekend quickly approaches I am sure some of you are making your Memorial Day plans, I mean who doesn't like a three day weekend!

Like so many holidays, the purposes have been watered down over the years and filled with so much commercialism, because its not ever special enough to just give them the honor and reference they deserve, we tend have to make it bigger and better, but truth is there is nothing bigger and better than the sacrifices men and women make to serve our country.

Although I do not currently have any family members in the Armed Forces, I have had many in the past who have served in every branch of the military. Personally, like our law enforcement officers, they do not get the honor and recognition they deserve, and are often times treated with disrespect, and this is heart breaking, because we owe them so much as they willing place their lives on the line for our safety.

Just like most people, I like  to get together with family and friends and have some BBQ, potato salad, and watermelon, but how does this honor those to whom we celebrate Memorial Day for? Truth is, to many, it is treated like any other three day weekend and very little thought goes in to the reason this day was set aside in the first place. I have been guilty of this and I am sure some of you have as well.

Several years ago I decided that I would find a way to honor this day, and so I did.  I heard about the Wounded Warrior Project and decided this was how I could do that. I am not telling you this to pat myself on the back or anything like that,  but rather to share it with you so that if you, like myself, wish you could find a more meaningful way to pay tribute this is a possible option. There are many different foundations specifically for our military veterans and active military personnel so there are plenty options to choose from. Just a thought. Wounded Warrior Project (click to donate)

When I think of the military, I also include our local law enforcement, because they are providing the same service of putting their lives on the line every day for our safety. There are many foundations that honor them as well, like the Officer Down Memorial. Officer Down Memorial   (click to donate) There is a special place in my heart for this one, because I do have several family members in law enforcement. My brother Andy, a police officer,  started the local Officer Down Tribute which takes place every January to honor the fallen officers from the previous year, it is an incredible experience to be a part of, brings tears to my eyes every years. Many agencies join with this event, officers, fire fighters and family and friends of the community, if you have not been to one yet, you should, its incredible.

Well I am not sure if I will post tomorrow, but just in case have a safe and memorable Memorial Day week and if you don't do anything else say some special prayers for our Armed Forces and Law Enforcement officers this weekend!