Memorial Day

Fort Logan National Cemetary 

As a child, Memorial Day was simply a long weekend my family used as an opportunity to take our trailer to the mountains and camp. As we fought the traffic on I-70 (which was nothing compared to today’s traffic!) I never considered the significance of the holiday. In reflecting back, this seems rather odd given my father was a World War II Veteran. I suppose, he like countless other World War II Veterans, came home, got to work, and never spoke much of his service or the sacrifices it demanded.

Today in my work with Veterans as a nurse and therapist, I have come to appreciate the significance of Memorial Day. While Veterans Day is a day to thank all Veterans for their service, Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who are no longer with us, who gave their lives in service for our country. It is a given that Memorial Day is a great opportunity for a long weekend to camp and barbeque with friends and family and I would like to encourage you to also take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives in service in order for us to enjoy those freedoms. If you know of a family who is missing someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice, it is also an opportunity to thank them for their sacrifice.