MEMORIAL DAY HONOR

"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope."
- Winston Churchill

Honor. This word does represent something simple yet great. It's also the guiding principle and theme of this day.

Memorial Day is meant to honor all Americans who died in service to our country. It seems to me that it's also a day to appreciate honor itself as well as a time to renew honor.

I always honor my dad on this day. He was not among those who lost their lives during WW II, but he was among the critically wounded. He was shot in the chest while marching through the Hurtgen forest in Germany. The bullet missed his heart, but it lodged dangerously next to it. Fortunately, he survived the wounding and the surgery that removed the bullet. The word "honor" comes to mind whenever I recall my dad speaking about military service and serving the greater good, as well as when he displayed his Purple Heart with gratitude and pride.

I was also proud of the way he treated people honorably, with respect and kindness.

On this patriotic day, I find myself yearning for more honor, honor in all its meanings, including: high respect, adherence to what is right, fulfilling obligations, and keeping one's word.

I believe we need to cultivate honor, not just today, not just on holidays and holy days, but every day.

So, my wish, my prayer, is this:
May we foster honor among us.
May we communicate honorably.
May we find common ground honorably.
May we live honorably.

George Washington put it this way: "I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man." An honorable man.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and meaningful Memorial Day.

With reverence,
Charlene