Never Forget…

I have today off from work. Odds are, you probably do, too. Many businesses are closed today for the Federal holiday we know as Memorial Day. The un-official start of the summer season, it’s a day of cookouts, beer and discounts on new cars.
Personally, I was going to spend the day kayaking with a friend. I’d spent the entire weekend on-call for work and figured Monday I’d get away for a bit. That is, until my younger sister righted my course with a text message:

“What are you doing tomorrow? Want to go to Dad’s grave in the morning?”

As a child, I used to draw the “short straw” on Memorial Day weekend. I’d have to be the one to go with my father to go to the family plots and plant flowers and flags. I hated the chore as a child because I just didn’t have the level of respect or appreciation that I should have. As far as I was concerned, it was the day I held the tools and my father got grumpy when I didn’t hand them over fast enough. If it was pouring rain out–as it often did–I’d hold the umbrella instead.
Bottom line, though, is that he went every Memorial Day…and I haven’t been in years. Shame on me. I rectify that today and will do so every Memorial Day going forward.
Granted, neither my father or my grandfather paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country. They did, however, devote their lives to being a Marine–whether they were on active duty or not. We’ve all heard the phrase “once a Marine, always a Marine,” and there was no better example of that than the one my father set for me and the one his father set for him.
I also consider the example of the members of our Armed Forces who have come before them and followed them in the 230 year history of this nation. Each one of them–from the early days of this nation in the Revolution to modern-day Iraq and Afghanistan–has given their lives in defense of a nation that will be forever grateful to them. Ours is a country that was forged through their sacrifice and remembering that is the very least any of us can do.
The men listed below gave their lives to secure our freedom. They are all from New Hampshire and they are in my thoughts today. May they be in your thoughts, as well as their fellow soldiers from all 50 states.
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert E. Rooney, 43, Nashua
Army Sgt. Randy S. Rosenberg, 23, Berlin
Army Sgt. Jeremiah Holmes, 27, N. Berwick, ME
Army Master Sgt. Richard L. Ferguson, 45, Conway
Army Spc. Jeremy Regnier, 22, Littleton
Army National Guard Spc. Alan J. Burgess, 24, Landaff
Marine Lance Cpl. Adam R. Brooks, 20, Manchester
Marine Cpl. Timothy M. Gibson, 23, Merrimack
Army Sgt. Angelo L. Lozada Jr., 36, Nashua
Army Pfc. George R. Roehl Jr., 21, Manchester
Marine Lance Cpl. Robert L. Moscillo, 21, Salem
Army Pfc. Nicholas R. Cournoyer, 25, Gilmanton
Army Capt. Doug DiCenzo, 30, Plymouth
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM
Army Sgt. William Tracy, 27, Webster
Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy, 36, Exeter
Marine Pfc. Matthew L. Bertolino, 20, Hampstead
May we never forget.
William Smith
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