Remember Me
A family is made of many different members. And to operate
as a functional family, respect and honor must be given to each. The United
States is our American family and has many different members, teachers,
doctors, nurses, military, government etc. when one of our members is hurting
we should be too. If you pounded your finger with a hammer wouldn’t your whole
body scream “it hurts?”
Sadly, but true there are many families who have lost
mother, father, son or daughter in the defense of this family. Now they must
live on missing their loved one. The loss will never be gone from them. As
such, we Americans of the United States should mourn with them and be a
shoulder to cry on, a friend to listen to.
Many years ago my brother died and good hearted people not
wanting me to be in pain avoided speaking about him. I then determined to talk
about him, what he did, just as if he were still alive for he was still a part
of who I was.
Gold Star families have lost both a loved one and a sense of
identity. They were ‘military’ now they are civilian, except, what does that
mean? Does it mean they no longer stop and face the flag with their hand over
their heart when it is lowered or raised? The awe and respect they carry is
beyond ritual but has become inherent to their very soul. How can you feel, act
or be different than who you are?
The death of a military loved one removes the family from
the military life; yet they do not yet feel a part of the civilian life. Now I
pose the question, since we are all part of one large nation. How about we open
our hearts and homes to our fellow family members. Invite them to coffee,
dinner, baseball games. Get to know them. Cry with them. Hear their stories.
Remember with them.
I may never totally relate to the daily sacrifice a military
family pays; but I can respect them knowing it is to our military and military
families that I owe a debt for the freedom I cherish.
Thank you United States military and families, for what you
daily do. I salute you with all my heart!
Thank you to my sources for sharing their personal feelings
with me.
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