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Related Blog Posts:

What to Do for Memorial Day, Visiting a Memorial Cemetery

The Meaning About US Veteran’s Memorial Day, Honor, The Date, and The Story

What is the Meaning of Memorial Day for Many People?

Most people see it as Thank a Veteran Day.

Some people see it as Wear Something Patriotic Day.

Almost everyone sees it as Grill-Out With the Family Day.

Almost the same number of people will see it as Take the Family to the Beach (Lake) Day.

What Date is Memorial Day Celebrated and Why?

The holiday used to be on May 30th every year.

In 1968, it was moved to the last Monday of the month to give people a three-day weekend.

There are some veteran groups that would like to see the weekend disappear, because it became just another family holiday, and the real meaning or remembrance is disappearing.

What is the True Meaning of Memorial Day?

Memorial Day isn’t about veterans, what you wear, grilling out, or going to swim.

Memorial Day is somber.

The purpose is to remember the fallen.

People fought and died for “liberty” and “freedom” for us!

A Memorial Day Story about the Sacrifice of a Soldier

Tommy (A true story), please share this with EVERYONE.

Tommy was 17 years of age.

• He was in INDOC, which is where you are pledged to pledge.

At 18, he signed papers and swore an oath to defend the constitution of the United States.

• This was against enemies foreign and domestic.
• He meant every single word of the oath.
• He CHOSE to protect us at great cost
• If there was an order, he would follow it
  • He understood SACRIFICE
• Salute him, applaud his service, tell him thank you, shake his hand, and MOVE out of his way when he walks down the street.

At 18, He went to boot camp.

• He drilled, exercised, and marched.
• He had been tested in war simulations for what he learned, physical strength, and tenacity.
• He passed… He was tough.
• At the end of boot camp he was proud and so were his parents.

He came home on leave.

• He visited
• Everyone hugged him and applauded him
• They asked him what the army was like.

He went to school after leave.

• He learned a useful trade
• Then he visited home again

Then he was sent to join his platoon.

• Almost immediately after, they were given orders to go to Iraq.
• He wasn’t excited about this, but it was his duty and he never complained.
• He did very well and gained rank quickly (pay and authority).

He was given a new job of Gunner for the Lieutenant’s Humvee because he was one of the best shots.

Warning that the below is graphic.

One day, they were traveling.  They were the second Humvee.

• Sargent Gomez was driving.

The first Humvee was hit by an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP).

• It is a malleable copper charge into the cab which does lots of damage inside.  It is kinda similar to an IED.
• The medic ran over to #1.

#2, where Gomez, Tommy, and the Lieutenant were, was hit.

• The EFP went through the driver side window.
• It hit Gomez in the throat, ripped it out and exploded in the cab.
• The percussion broke Tommy’s arm and injured his spine.

The medic ran over to #2 humvee.

• Another EFP went off.
• It penetrated two layers of armor, turned 180 degrees, exited two layers of armor, and hit the medic.
• The medic was killed on the spot.

After hours of pain and agony, Tommy and a few others were rescued.

Tommy lives today and this was not the only explosion he had been in.

He suffers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) today.

But this is not a story about Tommy, he was just the window for you to look through.

Sure we honor Tommy and his sacrifice, but this is about:

• The Medic
• Gomez
• Many Other Fallen Soldiers

Gomez didn’t die on the spot.

• He suffered and died later.

Gomez was Tommy’s best friend.

• He knew the medic as well.
• They were teammates.

He watched his friends die.

He watched Gomez’s neck splatter through the Humvee.

• But he is alive.
• They are dead.
• They paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Tommy lost 8 friends while in service.

• One to friendly fire
• One to suicide (stress of combat)
• Six to explosives.

This is EIGHT PEOPLE DEAD.  They died this for YOUR freedom.

Their parents paid the price for you as well.

They lost a beloved child

They are the ones that decorate their graves every:

• Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Veterans Day

You think those in DC give a rip about these kids?

Do you really think Iraq was for our freedom?

These kids died for what?!  Oil?  Politics?  So some Fat Cat can feel important about their role in “the war on terror?”

Who cares about the politics of DC today?  These kids died because THEY BELIEVED in YOUR FREEDOM.

How to Make this Memorial Day, One that Matters

While you enjoy:

• BBQ
• Camping
• Family

Remember that you are doing this in remembrance of the fallen and Missing in Action (MIA).

• There is nothing joyful about why this holiday exists.

You want to make this holiday worth it?  Why don’t you have a talk with a veteran about the wonderful people they knew.  About their Fellow Fallen Soldiers.

• Visit a MemorialCemetery
  • Visit a Battlefield, or reenactment
  • Make it fun, but educational for you, your spouse, and your children.
• I don’t want Memorial Day or the weekend gone.  Just remember why it is here.
• Cherish the veterans that live and celebrate the lives of those that don’t.