Aselin

Tomorrow is National Medal of Honor day. I recently read an article that shared the story of a flight attendant offering free drink coupons to anyone who could name one Medal of Honor recipient. Shamefully, I would not have received a drink. Even more shameful, the entire plane full of people was also stumped. Although they could name a plethora of American Idol Winners.

I’m no fan of war. I do, on the other hand, hold profound respect and even awe toward those who willingly serve in the military. It takes a certain moral fiber to live the life of a soldier. I know there’s a myriad of reasons why people enlist, but at the end of the day we’re in a period of combat and too many of those enlistees actually see action. With that reality I believe there is a special element of selflessness in each soldier’s character.

Each Memorial Day we take our children to the National Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The Boy Scouts honor each grave with a waving American flag. Fluttering in the breeze they are an awesome sight in a literal sea of red, white and blue. Each of our children carries a bouquet of red flowers, poppies are hard to find, and spends time placing them among the fallen.

Most of the graves contain the remains of those who were honorably discharged and passed during their civilian life. But there is a section of new graves. These graves contain soldiers who recently lost their lives, many of them in combat. There is not one of them I know personally, yet I shed tears every trip.

As we pass through the vast rows of headstones it is hard not to be consumed with gratitude. Each of these people gave a portion of their lives in service of their country and in service of their fellow man. I certainly can not say the same, and feel profound thanks for those willing to serve.

Because I too can name most of the American Idol winners, I’m spending time today learning about those who in split second decisions sustained great loss. Yet in their sacrifice gave life to the men who served with them and to us an amazing example of heroism.

There is a tremendous difference between a winner and a hero. Knowing the difference awards us a much greater prize than drink coupons.

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If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us. - Memorial Day Order, John A. Logan, May 5, 1868

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Thank you for your valor and sacrifice in Iraq or Afghanistan

Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham
Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy
Navy SEAL Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor
Army Spc. Ross McGinnis
Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith.

Details found at:
http://www.history.army.mil/moh.html