Memorial Day

   Normally , this weekend heralds the unofficial beginning of Summer . One remembers warm weather enjoyed in shorts , breezy tops and sandals . The older family members brought out the white shoes and clothes for the first time of the year ( one just doesn't wear white things outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day time frame !). Mom was in the kitchen joyfully laboring over the party foods - the salads (macaroni , potato , cole slaw and tossed greens ) , appetizers , condiments and the ever popular mile-high cake for dessert . Dad was outside dealing with the heat and smoke of the grill, necessary to produce the hot dogs and burgers to feed the ravenous hordes . This was before the advent of sunscreen and my poor fair-skinned father was usually burned to a crisp !
   There was a delight to these gatherings...nothing like good friends and good food for good fun. Today ,  however , is grey and rainy with thunder rumblings...no white shorts in sight ! The families are either long gone or wide-spread . The memories of the past are just that...memories , with little current fulfillment .
   But today has much deeper meaning . The "memorial" we honor with all these gatherings and good food is to those brave men and women who gave so much to defend our country and freedom .
One veterans' charity's motto says , "All gave some...some gave all ." . When we go up to a veteran to thank them for their service , they are all quick to tell us they are not the heroes..."The real heroes are still over there ." . Do we ever think what it must be like to take a young person  , with little worldly experience and thrust them into the horrors that is war ?? What an assault on every part of them !
Yet they serve our country , despite the sense and sensibility (or lack thereof) that dictated that war . They are proud to defend us and what this country stands for , regardless of the personal cost .
   To all of you , veterans past and present , I wish all good things , including peace and healing .
Happy Memorial day !