A post by Jai…

Memorial Day

What is this day about…

Growing up: it was the beach, parties, and cookouts. It was a time for fun.

I think we have lost the reason we have today off.  A 3 day weekend is great when you work a full time job or more. Hey, you could go out of town or actually enjoy your Sunday. You could do that on any weekend. We have the day off as a nation to remember and mourn.

Today is for those who are no longer with us. For those service members who signed on that doted line and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is to remember them. In memory of… Memorial. Please do not say “Happy Memorial day”, it is not like Christmas or the 4th of July. Instead say “Have a great Memorial Day”. Because there is nothing happy about loss of life in this instance.

It is great if you thank a former or currently serving service member.. you SHOULD thank them EVERY. DAY. However, today is not about them.

They have their days:

Armed Forces day is for those currently serving.

Veterans Day is for those who have served.

Memorial Day is to remember those who have given all.

IT DOES NOT MATTER if you believe in war, support the current (or former) administration, agree with specific conflicts. YOUR OPINION DOES NOT MATTER. Every single person knows someone who did (or knows someone who has lost someone) pay the ultimate sacrifice. Today is for them. Those that followed orders, those that protected, and defended with all that they were.

Yesterday, I read a post by a person mocking the politics that are involved and the hypocrisy of Crossfit . For those that do not know, Crossfitters around the globe, perform a workout called “Murph” every Memorial Day. Lt Michael Murphy designed the workout originally named “Body Armor”. In 2004, Lt. Michael Murphy sacrificed himself to make a call to save his team. He knew he would die and he did it anyway. The workout was later renamed for him. Whether or not you agree with Crossfit’s methodology or politics, to bash a group of individuals who Embrace the Suck to pay respect, is simply ugly.

Please and I beg of you PLEASE remember that today is a hard day for many. Do not mock those that choose to suffer to pay their respects instead of getting drunk and laughing with friends. It does not have to be a sad day, it can be a celebration of life. Dance to Jazz music, tell happy stories, share life.

So whether you go to the beach, shore, lake, camp fire, bonfire, cookout, backyard, side walk, block party, workout… Remember, while you are FREE to do theses things, why you are FREE to do these things.

Remember what this week, what today is really about.