On this day, we give our thanks...

"Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was initiated to honor the soldiers for the Union and Confederate armies who died during the American Civil War.

Celebrations honoring Civil War heroes started the year after the war ended. The establishment of a public holiday was meant to unify the celebration as a national day of remembrance instead of a holiday celebrated separately by the Union and Confederate states. By the late 19th century, the holiday became known as Memorial Day and was expanded to include the deceased veterans of all the wars fought by American forces. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday.

The original national celebration of Decoration Day took place on 30 May 1868. When Memorial Day became a federal holiday, it was given the floating date of the last Monday in May." Via publicholidays.us

Today is a day for remembrance of all those soldiers who have fought for their beliefs,  their country, their family and friends, their countrymen and women, and effectively, for you.

These men and women gave their lives so that we, people who take what these good people do for granted, can live free lives. Too many have lost their lives. Men and women have been made widows, children have lost mothers and fathers. Parents have lost children. Some one some where, has lost someone.

Every day, people die. Some for no reason, others for war and peace, protection. There are those who condemn soldiers for fighting. They forget that it is those very same men and women who fought and died to protect the protesters' right to protest.

My father, my brothers, my grandfathers and uncles are military They have come home. I didn't loose my chance to have a life with them. I don't pray as much as I should, but I thank god, every day, that they are home.

I cannot imagine the pain the others who are not as lucky must feel. My heart goes out to them.

Despite how you feel about war, fighting, your religious beliefs: our man and women fight for us. They fight for your right to own a home, go to school, walk the streets wearing what you want to wear, reading the books you want to read, marry who you want to marry. They fight for our constitution, our rights, our freedoms.

If you see a veteran today, shake their hand and thank them. Thank them for giving up so much for you, a stranger.  If you see a soldier's widow, tell them they are strong, and are not alone, and you appreciate their spouse's sacrifice.

Every day is memorial today, because we still have today.

We still have today because they fought to give us today.


Know a veteran or a soldier who didn't make it home? Or do you know someone who is still fighting? Post their name below so they will never be forgotten and so they will know how much they are appreciated.