I Can’t Imagine – My Memorial Day Tribute

I love my country and everything for which it stands. I am so very grateful to have been born here into the greatest democracy in the world. I appreciate the freedoms that I have that allow me to be who and what I am and to believe whatever I choose. But, I also know that in order to have such freedoms, these rights have to be defended and although I would fight in many ways in order to defend these rights, I can’t imagine being a part of the military that defends this country.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like to sacrifice my own life in order to protect others and their freedoms.”Barbara Jacoby

I can’t imagine dedicating my life, even for a short period of time, to a commitment where I would put myself in harm’s way to be a part of the military. I can’t imagine committing myself to do whatever is necessary to defend democracy, both here and throughout the world. I can’t imagine what a person must have inside of themselves in order to dedicate themselves physically and mentally to the cause. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be deployed to other parts of the world, having to leave behind family and friends and home.

I can’t imagine going into combat, not knowing whether I would live or die. I can’t imagine what it would be like to sacrifice my own life in order to protect others and their freedoms.  I can’t imagine what it would be like to stay focused on the most important job one could ever have while a part of me was still at home with my loved ones and my thoughts constantly straying to visions of the day when I could return to them.

I can’t imagine any of these things because I don’t have what it takes to do this or be someone of that caliber. However, that does not mean that I can’t appreciate and be grateful for each and every military person who gave their life to protect me and the values and life that I enjoy. Each one of these people is my hero. They all have a strength and courage and heart and soul that I will never know. And on this very special national day of recognition, I want to send out my own thoughts and prayers and gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives for me and all of us who have our freedoms.

I also want to send out my gratitude and thanks to every parent, family member, friend and acquaintance of someone who gave their life for our country. Many of you have sacrificed a huge part of your own lives in the support and love and assistance that you gave to these heroes. And now your own lives are forever changed because of the loss of those very special loved ones with whom you shared a very personal bond that I can’t begin to imagine having lost.

I know that every time I hear a patriotic song or see a memorial observation on the TV screen, I will say a prayer of thanks for each and every one of these heroes. I will give my own personal salute  to them for what they have done for me and all of the people in this country. And although so many don’t even know the true meaning of this holiday, I will do everything that I can to memorialize their heroism and sacrifices and contributions on this Memorial Day each year. I just can’t imagine not doing this!