‘Lest we forget ‘ became a mantra nearly 20 years ago after September 11, 2001. I believe that we should never forget our fallen the day after Memorial Day.
Memorial Day weekend has always been labeled the ‘unofficial start of Summer’ and some might even call it a ‘long weekend’ . We don’t get to call it any of this without the reason for it. We don’t get to kick back and relax with friends and family on Memorial Day weekend if blood wasn’t shed or lives were not lost on the battlefield to protect our freedoms !
While at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum’s beautiful Memorial Day ceremony, it hit me. Living American veterans lost brothers and sisters during combat and no matter how old a veteran , I can’t imagine these ceremonies get any easier.
The war stories these veterans tell are also quite incredible and the adaptations made in time of war, to the point of losing a fellow soldier in combat are timeless !
I personally do love going to these ceremonies because I don’t believe our fallen heroes should have fought for America in vain and died in vain. It’s also a twist that while I only have the one leg, I didn’t lose it in war, which makes me appreciate those who fought and have lost limbs in a war and even their lives defending us even more.
We gather for these ceremonies and then I get the sense that we kind of forget about our troops the day after Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veterans Day. ‘Lest We Forget’ the sacrifices made 365 days a year as our men and women in the armed forces never stop making them, even in our hospitals by healthcare heroes for our fellow Americans. All who serve to defend us do it for love of God and Country!
The Writings of Alex Garrett 