Today is Memorial Day 2024. I am remembering both of my grandfathers who served in the US Navy during WWII.
My maternal grandfather was a radioman on the USS Shenck from August 1943 – March 1946.
I also remember my father’s Uncle, Fred Burns, who was a medic during the second wave of Normandy Beach on D-Day.
Their stories weren’t shared when we were young, because it’s what they did, and were called to do. It was duty. Finally, well into their nineties and soon before they passed, my grandfather and uncle began to open up to others who then shared with us. These men were all part of what is considered “The Greatest Generation.”
We stand on the shoulders of Giants who came before us and actually fought for what we hold dear. They knew that freedom wasn’t free, and there were (and still are) true tyrants in the world. Far too often, words like “freedom” and “liberty” are tossed about as meaning we can do anything we want, when we want, because we want it. But we forget because it was before our time, that freedom and liberty come with responsibility to serve all, including those we don’t agree with.
Let us remember that our rights are inalienable because they come from a creator; not a government, a leader, or group in power. Our rights have also been defended by those who came before us, many of whom we can no longer thank.
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