The purpose of Memorial Day is to honor those military personnel who gave their lives for our country . . . it isn't about picnics, days off, or the start of summer. It is about remembering those who died for our freedoms . . .
Author Lynn Scott suggests an idea that I will adopt this year, and every Memorial Day for the rest of my life . . . and I ask each of you to do the same. She presents the idea in her blog, much more succinctly than this old sergeant can do . . . read it here:
http://lynnescottauthor.com/2011/05/27/speak-his-name-on-memorial-day/
Please don't thank me for my service, today, or wish me a "Happy Memorial Day" but rather, remember . . . remember those gone too soon, who wore the uniform and did their part to keep our nation free. Take a moment to remember . . . to speak the names of those you know who sacrificed their lives for us . . .
If you don't know anyone from your life who died in the service of our nation, you can do as Author Scott suggests in her blog, and pick a name from "the wall" or some other source, or, you are welcome to speak the names of my Titan II PTS brothers who died doing what the small group of men and women who fueled the Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles during the Cold War did almost every day . . . the three names below are the names I will speak, this morning, and every Memorial Day until I am gone . . . they were my brothers in life, and will always be in my heart . . . feel free to speak their names , and remember three young men, gone long before their time
Staff Sergeant Robert J. Thomas
Airman 1st Class Erby Hepstall
Senior Airman David Livingston
Remember . . .