memorial day

I am thankful for the men and women who have given their lives in defense and service of our country. I want to be intentional about remembering them, and passing on my respect for them to my sons. So, I have instituted a tradition of taking my sons to a Memorial Day observance every year.

This year, we attended the annual observance at the Hoosier Patriot Memorial. We were honored to join others huddled under a tent to avoid the rain (which stopped after the service). I captured some images from our time there.










I would guess that there were between 200 and 250 in attendance, including the active military personnel who took part in the ceremony. Most of those attending were in their 60's, at least: of the observers, I recognized one other man close to my age. I saw no children the age of mine. It gave me pause, as I considered what observances such as this might look like in, say, twenty years or so.

I doubt that there are many who are openly ungrateful for the sacrifices of our armed forces in defense of freedom. As I say that, I know that I was someone who rarely was intentional about showing my gratitude, particularly on the national holiday set aside for the purpose.

So let me encourage you to say thanks, by thanking a veteran; by paying your respects to those who died in defense of our country; and by doing it in front of someone who needs to understand why.