Welcome to today's Audio Essay
"Memorial Day Gratitude" from Way Of The Renaissance Man Starring
Jim Woods
Memorial Day
Gratitude
The unofficial beginning of
summer is almost here, and that, of course, is Memorial Day
weekend. And while this Memorial Day weekend will be different than
any we’ve ever had, the traditions of backyard barbecues, trips to
the beach and even road trips are still going to take place—even if
they involve masks, gloves and six-feet between us.
The reason why is because we’re
Americans, and it’s just not in our nature to shelter humbly in
place because we’ve been told we have to. Yes, we’ve all pretty
much done that over the past two months, but given the holiday
weekend and great weather in much of the country, you can bet we’ll
still do as much of the “normal” things we’ve always done to
celebrate this unofficial commencement of summer.
Of course, first and foremost
we must remember the reason for this holiday weekend, and that is
it’s our opportunity to honor and remember the men and women who
paid the ultimate price in defense of a grateful nation. I say
grateful not lightly, because it is gratitude for those who have
died to defend America, her people, and her values that we all must
pause and soak in this weekend.
Indeed, it’s this sense of
gratitude that’s motivated many Americans, me included, to have
chosen to serve in the military. You see, it’s because of people
willing to fight to the death to defend us all that we are able to
have backyard barbecues, take walks on the beach, and pretty much
live with a sense of safety and security from bellicose
threats.
And now, even as the biggest
threat to the world comes from a viral RNA strand, Americans on the
frontlines of our healthcare war are confronting this scourge with
as much valor and fortitude as our military heroes. That’s why this
Memorial Day, I will also be raising a glass to toast the fallen
combatants, and the victims, who have lost their lives fighting
this microscopic war.