Today is Memorial Day, time for shopping, vacation, cook outs, hanging with friends and family. Yes, Memorial Day is all these things to most Americans. But, to me it is something a little more…
My brother was born on Memorial Day (May 27- to be exact). He also spent the last five years fighting in the Army. (He was in an Airborne company.) He was not your typical Army solider. Brett has always had a passion for playing the guitar and art. He is one that hangs out with his childhood friends and stays close to home. While growing up Brett did not like confrontation, heights, thrill rides, guns, camping, or fighting. To this day I am not sure what he was thinking when he joined the Army… (I will never understand??)
Over the last five years Brett has missed pretty much everything… For one, celebrating his Birthday the way most young Americans celebrate. Instead he was in a dirt hole in the middle of nowhere trying to survive. He missed ever Christmas and again was out in the middle of nowhere trying to stay alive. He missed his niece and nephew being born. He missed his friends wedding and their children being born. He missed so much… This year he is home and out of the Army… This year he will CELEBRATE his birthday. After five years so much has changed without him. Most of all it is hard for him to adapt to a failing economy and he like many Americans is out of a job. He asked me one day, “What happened? I don’t remember the economy being so bad.”
Things have changed… I am so very proud of him and everything he endured. He is a fighter. Life is looking up for him these days. He is on his way to accomplish big goals and dreams. Soon, very soon, he will be a Dallas fireman… (We pray)
My point, Please remember Memorial Day….
Leave a reply