I’ll admit, the title is designed mostly to get your attention but, to some degree, it’s true.  It sucks that so many died during the Civil War that we had to have a special day, Decoration Day, dedicated to their memory.  It doubly sucks that so many more have given their lives since 1860.

It sucks that we have to have a holiday dedicated to the memory of our veterans when, really, Americans should take a moment every day to thank their veterans.

It sucks that we have all, seemingly, lost someone close to us.  It sucks that we lost Tim Moshier.

It sucks that we need a military at all.  It also sucks that we don’t give our troops everything they need to be safe and successful.  Enough of the politics.

I didn’t intend for this to be a lecture on how we should live our lives. There are definitely days when things get so crazy that I don’t remember the sacrifice that our men and women in the Armed Forces have made for us.  Dare I say that there are entire weeks that go by where I don’t think of it and I’ve had the benefit of a constant reminder in the loss of a near-brother.  

So perhaps, this Memorial Day, I’ll tip my cap to those who continue to defend this country and reaffirm my commitment to honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  Perhaps I’ll go fishing with the boys today with my newly acquired fishing license and be thankful that the biggest stress in my life will be if the fish swallows the hook.  I wonder how many fathers on the banks of the Euphrates or Tigris Rivers can say that?