Monday, May 30, 2016

The Meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is often considered a "holiday" to grill out, kick off summer or score some really good deals at department stores.  Sadly many Americans forget the real reason for the day.  We are able to do the things I mentioned previously, because of the men and women that fought, and still fight, for our country.  Memorial Day is a day to remember the men and women that lost their lives for our country.

My favorite Veteran is my granddad.  He is also who I named my son, Jesse, after.  My granddad did not lose his life for our country, but it did forever change him.  My granddad fought in World War II and was a Prisoner of War for nineteen months in Germany.  Let's just think about that for a minute.  For NINETEEN long months, my granddad went to bed (which was made of wood shavings and a burlap bag), wondering if he would see his home country again.  For NINETEEN months, my granddad ate food that caused him digestive probelms for decades later, wondering if he would gather around the dinner table with his family again.  In fact, he lost fifty pounds as a Prisoner of War.  For NINETEEN months, my granddad listened to people talk about him, in a language that he did not understand.  For NINETEEN months, my granddad battled things like frost bite, malaria, and was even unconscious for three days, without any medicines or medical care.  Nineteen months!


My granddad passed away when I was sixteen years old.  I had heard a few stories about his war days, but I never really understood what he had done for me and for our country until I had my own kids.  Part of that was because I was a kid and probably didn't show much interest in history, part of that was because my granddad was a man of few words (completely opposite of that little Jesse we have running around now).

A few days ago, Mark and I were discussing with Jess (four years old), what Memorial Day is, and about the man he was named after.  We told him that we hoped he loved his country as much as my granddad did.  He said, "I don't want to fight for my country,  I want to be a policeman!"  We said, that's fine, you can protect our country here, as a policeman."  Then he said, "And, I may want to be a construction worker."  We said, "That's great, too, you can work to build things for our country."  Honestly, it doesn't matter to me what my children become when they grow up, as long as they are fulfilled.  The fact that they have options and get to choose what they become is greatly due to the fact that the men and women of the military have fought for those freedoms.  I think this is what the Declaration of Independence describes as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

After nineteen months as a P.O.W. my granddad was rescued and flown to San Antonio, Texas to recover.  He married my beautiful grandmother three months later.  In 1995, a few months before his death, they celebrated fifty years of marriage.  Not everyone that serves our country gets to come home.  Today, as you celebrate Memorial Day, remember the men and women that fought for our country, but especially the ones that did not make it home.  Remember their families as they still mourn the empty chair at their dinner table.

Thanks for reading!

Emily


16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather, Emily. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thank you, Katie! He was a great man, indeed! Hope you had a great weekend.

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  2. What a great post to honor your grandpa. This is what Memorial Day is all about. Thanks for sharing Emily.

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    1. Thank you, Beth! I hope you had a great Memorial Day with your family.

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  3. Wonderful tribute to your granddad and ll those who served and serve so that we can be free.

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    1. Thank you! Hope you have a good rest of the week!

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  4. I can't imagine what your Grandfather went through. Being a mom definitely makes you see things differently. I wish I had ask my grandpa to tell me more stories before he passed. I hope you enjoyed you Memorial day.

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    1. Thanks, Jacie! My granddad didn't really like to talk about it and would have never thought of himself as a hero. I'm thankful to have learned these facts about him though. He's a hero in my eyes!

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  5. Wow, what a story. My grandpa was in WWII also but I don't think he had such an amazing story.

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    1. Thanks, Dara! I think anyone that served (or still serves) our country is a hero, no matter how amazing their story is. They made a sacrifice, so that we could live a comfortable life. I'm sure your grandpa sacrificed, too.

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  6. Such a good tribute to your grandpa. I could not imagine the torment he went through. They were America's greatest generation for sure.

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  7. This is a good post in honor of your grandpa. I couldn't imagine the torment he went through. His generation truly was the best generation.

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    1. Thank you! I can't imagine it either. I'm so thankful for the selfless men & women that defend our country.

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  8. Oh wow! I could not even begin to imagine being a POW. What a great post to honor your Granddad. Many thanks to him and everyone else for the ultimate sacrifice.

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    1. Thank you, Crystal! He's one of my heroes, for sure!

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  9. I salute your grandfather! Sounds like a loving and wonderful man.

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