Putting Memorial Day into perspective......

Just received an email from our friend Pat serving in Iraq for his second tour there.

He always writes so well and puts our busy lives here at home into perspective!

Below is part of his email, in honor of Memorial Day.

God Bless our troops, God Bless America and God Bless you and yours!

No matter what your political affiliation, views of the war or personal convictions, I hope you will reflect on what personal sacrifice really means. Those Gold Star families know, like no other could even imagine, the depth of sacrifice that accompanies a lifetime of loss. Those of us – fellow soldiers, family and friends, are left with only the memory of our fallen brothers and sisters. On this Memorial Day, we need to reconnect with those memories and deepen our hope that someday – someday soon, we will not have to build any more memorials to our honored dead, because of those who paved the road to freedom with their sacrifice.

If you can, please take a few minutes sometime this weekend to visit a memorial, a fallen military relative or friend’s grave, or “post the colors” as you see fit. Just to stop from the hectic weekend of picnics and shopping and reconnect with the meaning of this holiday from the comfort and security of your homes can do. I know we will - in our own way – all the way out here in the sandbox.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend and best to all.

Patrick McDonald