Memorial Day

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.'"

-- Author Unknown

On Memorial Day we are always reminded of our country’s bravest men and women. Many are deployed to places far from the comforts of home, but nonetheless they stand tall and proud to defend America for the sake of all of us.  It is a selfless task that requires honor, courage and commitment. 

As a combat veteran myself, I understand what it takes to defend our American way of life. Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life came during my combat tours in Iraq. My experiences there helped me truly understand the greatness of America. 

Our nation and all the good that we stand for is so awe-inspiring that men and women willingly sacrifice their lives for the promise America holds. Lives were sacrificed for the sake of the mission, for the sake of your buddy next to you, for the sake of families back home and for the sake of innocent civilians.

I lost good friends over there. They were heroes who made a difference in my life. I owe them.

America’s history is filled with brave men and women who proudly put on her uniform in order to answer the call to fight on the side of freedom and liberty.

As some of our nation’s elected officials pay their respects to those who serve on this one day, let us hope they don’t retreat into their ideological corners like children the next day. Let us all remember our military service members who get it right—America, and her ideals of freedom and liberty, are worth sacrificing everything for.

This Memorial Day we remember those who wrote and cashed their checks.  As we cash their checks let us do so with pride in their service and humility.

For their sake and for the sake of the millions who cling to the promise of America, we owe it to them to Come Together.