Memorial Day

A good friend of mine posted this on facebook earlier this week and it really got me thinking about how easy it is to write off memorial day as just another day we don't have to work or go to school. What a good reminder this simple picture is of how blessed we are to live where we do, and of how blessed we are to be protected by our wonderful troops. I have had the opportunity to work at BYU's Army ROTC building for the last two years and have been able to see, firsthand, some truly amazing men and women who have sacrificed so much for our wonderful country. I've met their incredibly families who sacrifice just as much to support their family member and keep things running smoothly at home during long absences. I'm so grateful and forever indebted to those brave men and women who, all throughout our history, have fought to keep America free and safe. I sit here in our nice condo with some of my family (who is in town for the weekend from CA!!!), all of us so at ease, and marvel at how much we have because our country is a free one. We have the opportunities to pursue our dreams, not what someone else has decided for us. We were able to attend church yesterday and worship freely the religion we know to be true. We can run around doing fun activities today without wondering if it's really safe to go outside. We have SO much to be thankful for. So thank you to all those who have, are, and will serve so that we can enjoy the many freedoms that we do. May we all strive to remember what this day is really about and keep these brave souls in our hearts.