A Day to Remember

"Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It’s a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery [Arlington National Cemetery] and others. It’s a day to be with the family and remember."

A field of flags on The Boson Common

"We must always remember that peace is a fragile thing that needs constant vigilance. We owe them [Veterans] a promise to look at the world with a steady gaze and, perhaps, a resigned toughness, knowing that we have adversaries in the world and challenges and the only way to meet them and maintain the peace is by staying strong.

That, of course, is the lesson of this century, a lesson learned in the Sudetenland, in Poland, in Hungary, in Czechoslovakia, in Cambodia. If we really care about peace, we must stay strong. If we really care about peace, we must, through our strength, demonstrate our unwillingness to accept an ending of the peace. We must be strong enough to create peace where it does not exist and strong enough to protect it where it does. That’s the lesson of this century and, I think, of this day. And that’s all I wanted to say. The rest of my contribution is to leave this great place to its peace, a peace it has earned.

Thank all of you, and God bless you, and have a day full of memories."

~President Ronald Reagan, Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Day 1986~

As I enjoy my 3-day weekend a short walk through the Boston Common early Sunday morning made me remember the reasons why I don't have to be at work today.  To all those who have served, who currently serve, who will serve in the future and especially to those who have made the greatest sacrifice and proved that freedom isn't free I thank you.

~ Leah