Memorial Day

Our relationship with Memorial Day is complicated. At once we despise war, but acknowledge our human inability to avoid it and the bravery required to fight it. My husband and I served for 4 years in the Air Force, during a period of peace. I often feel we did not really 'serve our country' during that time, because we did not endure any suffering and the benefits of the service far outweighed any negatives. We were young newlyweds, underemployed and looking for an adventure together. We gained independence, a VA loan for our first house, the GI Bill to finish our education, job skills and, eventually, due to our station in the Bible Belt, our enduring faith. That was what we received for our service, more than we could have ever hoped for. Of course, Memorial Day is to honor indeed that very liberty and privilege that comes from the freedoms we hold so dear in this country. Freedom to be independent, to get a good education, to worship openly. Along with us, my father, uncle, cousin, mother and father-in-law, sister, brother, and now son-in-law have all served in the Armed Forces. We despise war. We love our freedoms. It is complicated yes, but also simple. It is putting our love into action, feet to our convictions, and honor to what we hold most dear.