Our flags have been hanging low all week as our community honors a fallen hero - an officer killed in the line of duty. A husband, father, high school coach, and police offer who responded to a call about a domestic dispute and never came home. This week there were three days of services to honor his service and life and legacy. Thousands of fellow officers and others from the community and beyond showed up to pay their respect.
Here at home I have a boy who wants to rid the world of evil when he grows up. We talk often about right and wrong, honor, sacrifice. He gives up for his little sisters and says "I don't want to, but I know it is the right thing to do!" He ends most play battles by declaring "The good guy always wins!"
Tonight I am saddened that sometimes the ultimate sacrifice is made and the good guy doesn't always get to stand to declare his victory.
Tonight I am saddened that sometimes the ultimate sacrifice is made and the good guy doesn't always get to stand to declare his victory.
There is a memorial park we pass by almost every time we go out, with a statue sculpted by the same hands that fashioned the Lincoln Memorial.
Inscribed on the statue are the words:
"With veneration of those who died
Gratitude of those who lived
Trust in the patriotism of those who came after..."
Though I pass by often, I haven't stepped foot in the park since Memorial Day last year when the parade ended around the base of the statue. But tonight, with the fallen hero and Memorial Day heavy on my heart, I decided to stop by.
Inscribed on the statue are the words:
"With veneration of those who died
Gratitude of those who lived
Trust in the patriotism of those who came after..."
Though I pass by often, I haven't stepped foot in the park since Memorial Day last year when the parade ended around the base of the statue. But tonight, with the fallen hero and Memorial Day heavy on my heart, I decided to stop by.
It has always been clear to me the man standing is a soldier. Without giving it much thought, I always assumed the woman was an angel. But with a closer look and a little research I learned the woman is a mother "pointing out the path of duty to her soldier son."
A mother, standing strong, directing her son in the way he should go.
I wish I had taken my son to see the real hero's funeral. The thought never crossed my mind until this evening - usually preschoolers and funerals do not mix well. But the service was held in a high school football field, so I am not sure how much disturbance my little ones could have caused (although, I have been surprised before). Watching videos of the beautiful service and seeing pictures of the impressive presence of the band of brothers in uniform - I think it would have made an impression on my son. He could have seen the importance of doing something bigger than oneself. The impact of a sacrifice. A legacy passed on after a life has ended.
A mother, standing strong, directing her son in the way he should go.
I wish I had taken my son to see the real hero's funeral. The thought never crossed my mind until this evening - usually preschoolers and funerals do not mix well. But the service was held in a high school football field, so I am not sure how much disturbance my little ones could have caused (although, I have been surprised before). Watching videos of the beautiful service and seeing pictures of the impressive presence of the band of brothers in uniform - I think it would have made an impression on my son. He could have seen the importance of doing something bigger than oneself. The impact of a sacrifice. A legacy passed on after a life has ended.
This Memorial Day weekend we will enjoy festivities and extra time together as a family, but we will also take time to remember. We will exercise the freedom we have to do the thing we should - to recognize the sacrifices of heroes. To say Thank You the best we can.
This Memorial Day please take time to reflect on the acts of valor, the sacrifices of many, and the lessons from the past that determine the paths we should take in the future.
This Memorial Day please take time to reflect on the acts of valor, the sacrifices of many, and the lessons from the past that determine the paths we should take in the future.