They signed on the dotted line.
They stood in line.
Hair shaved off.
Shaking in their boots.
They trained.
They deployed.
They died.

No one signed up to die
But they all knew it was possible
They felt something for their country
Something very deep
A love they couldn’t even describe
Some were so young it was the only love they ever knew outside of home

But there was another love
The love of a comrade
Having someone’s back
Someone to protect
Knowing that they have your back
There’s perhaps no greater bond in the world

Never take freedom for granted.
It’s disrespectful to those who never came home.
That’s not what they signed up for
But they knew it was a possibility
They loved you and didn’t even know you
How can you not feel the loss of all those who never returned

You can have your barbecues
You can party
You can complain about the weather, the traffic, the price of gas.
If you do complain though, realize that someone died so you could retain the right to complain
Think on that and then see how important complaining is

Some mother, some father, some spouse, some kids are wiping tears while you’re complaining.

What have you given that’s equivalent to what our armed forces have given?
What right do you have to disrespect them?

There’s an empty chair at some dinner table.
What if that was your dinner table?

Memorial Day should be every day.
But at least today you can say “thank you for giving your life so I could have freedom.

Thank you Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Coasties!