Remember and Recognize

My retired U.S. Army husband and I have spent part of this Memorial Day weekend engaging in some industrial napping, grilling, yard work, watching The Military Channel, and catching a few unseen episodes of Blue Bloods.  Yes, rather prosaic, I know.

I have not forgotten that we have important Rotary Foundation duties … meeting club giving goals, setting and inputting club giving goals for the next Rotary year, and gearing up for our annual Polio Plus Baseball games.  We will return to those duties on Tuesday.

Today I remember a father and father-in-law and their wives now gone from us who served their country for the duration, however long it might have been during World War II. I cherish the presence of my veteran husband who served in stormy times. These are my personal connections to military service and the risks it can bring.

Often among the unrecognized are the First Responders – law enforcement officers, EMTs, and firefighters who at a moment’s notice can be in harm’s way.  Many have perished in the course of their duties and others face challenging and dangerous situations on a daily basis.

There are still American service members performing their duties on posts and bases around the world. First responders are still going out on emergency calls even on a day treated by most as the first great picnic day of the summer.

So, today, I reflect on those absent and those among us to whom we owe so much.