But for the grace of God

I can remember seeing my son's face on a C-130 headed for Haiti in 1994. Even with his face painted in jungle camouflage, I recognized him among the dozens of other sons on that airplane.

Glued to the TV, waiting for the latest news, I have never been so scared in my life.

All the men in my life were in the military. All served honorably. All came home intact and unharmed by the time they spent serving their country.

Millions of other families have not been so lucky.

As a writer and editor, I have often struggled to find the words to express the limitless gratitude I have for the men and women who defend our country. They don't just talk about loving their country and defending freedom, they are the tangible evidence of our country's greatness. They willingly offer to die for what they believe in.

I wonder how many others of us could make such a commitment.

Our country has set aside a day on which to honor the men and women who have died in the service of their country. Like so many other solemn and noteworthy celebrations, Memorial Day has gotten lost in the plethora of retail sales, come-ons and a day away from work.

Except for the families who have experienced the loss of a loved one first hand, we celebrate it as a holiday, a day for barbecuing in the backyard and taking a long weekend, instead of acknowledging the sacrifice of the very people who fought and died for our country.

Members of the military don't analyze the politics of their duty assignments. To them it doesn't matter if you are a Republican or Democrat. To them we are all just Americans.

They don't ask, "Why am I being sent there?" With absolute faith and without question, they go.

Monday, as you go about your business, take just a few moments to acknowledge the people who gave their lives without question, without fail, with pride and out of love and savor the security and richness of a free nation for which they so willingly died.

Gwen Break is the editor of The Walton Sun.