Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, we took the kids to the Idaho Veterans Cemetery and tried to explain
what Memorial Day is all about.  Admittedly, this is a bit much for 5 year olds
to get, but I tried simplifying it down a bit. 

I ran across 2 plots occupied by men killed in Iraq.  It was all I could do not
to cry.  One of these men was 21 years old.  I remember being a soldier
at 21 and thinking that I was invincible. I was a part of the first Iraq war
and it just kills me that these boys died in the second one.  I have never had
a bumper sticker on any of my vehicles, let alone a political one, but I am happy
that our rig is now sporting a “Bring Our Troops Home“ ribbon.  This
waste has got to stop.

I am glad that our state has finally committed itself to providing a cemetery for
these soldiers and it even had me wondering if I wouldn’t like to be interred there
someday, among such honorable company.

I am sorry for the off topic rant, but the solemnity of the occasion warranted it
for me.

Links

• Idaho State Veterans
  Cemetery