What does Memorial Day Mean to You?
Memorial Day is not about picnics and barbecues. It is about showing respect to those who have fought and the many that died for our country. With this holiday it is not the war’s we are remembering, instead, we are remembering those who served and those who gave all of their devotion in order to insure that the freedoms that this country offers would be able to be passed on to the next generations.
I wanted to take a minute and share with everyone the significance of Memorial Day to me and, I believe, to all of us.
On Memorial Day, we take time to remember all of the soldiers that died so that we can have our freedom. They remind us of the cost of freedom and of the quality of our character as a nation. We do not gather on this holiday to glorify wars. Rather, we are challenged to remember that when war comes unbidden to us, there are those who are willing to give their all to defend this nation.
My father fought in World War Two and his total platoon was killed by the Japanese and he survived because he played dead even though he was shot many times. My father received the Purple Heart, and the Silver Star. I always think of him on Memorial Day.
So this holiday is very important to me as I remember what my father went through for me and for others.
I also think of all the young men that I went to school with who went to Vietnam. Some returned and some did not. So many of these care for young man that I knew came back broken and did not recover. To top it off they were spat on for serving their country by those who did not support the war. Whether you support the war or not always have respect for those who went into battle to fight for what they believed in and for freedom.
I think of all of the men and women who have lost their lives and sacrificed so much to fight the war on terrorism. We did not ask for this war, but without standing up to terrorists imagine how much more damage could be inflicted on the innocent.
I find it incredibly sad how our veterans are not being taken care of by the government that they served. Friends, let me ask you a question, when was the last time you seen a VET on the street corner in a wheel chair? Twelve % of the Homeless Population consists of Veterans, roughly 67,000 people. Now, how can this government send money to other countries while ignoring these Vets? How can they say they care while ignoring these very Vets, who sacrificed so much for our freedom, that are on the streets? America, wake up.
Whatever you do this weekend take time to pause and give thanks for all that you have due to the sacrifice of so many men and women.
Blessings to all who have served and are serving America,
Cherokee Billie
The following quotes sum up for me the real importance of Memorial Day. Feel free to share them with your friends
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“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” – General George S. Patton
Memorial Day they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” – Joseph Drake
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell
“Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation. -Henry Ward Beecher
Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours. -Wallace Bruce
The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree. -Thomas Campbell
The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example. – Benjamin Disraeli
Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for,
Is their monument to-day, and for aye. -Thomas Dunn English
For love of country they accepted death… -James A. Garfield
The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children. -William Havard
The dead soldier’s silence sings our national anthem. -Aaron Kilbourn
For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. -William Penn
On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation! -Thomas William Parsons
The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men. -Minot J. Savage
We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them. -Francis A. Walker
If you have any thoughts you want to share about Memorial Day, please share them with us here.
Cherokee Billie Spiritual Advisor 
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