Memorial Day.......

What does Memorial day mean to you? To me, it is a time to honor all our men and women who have given their lives to provide us the freedoms we enjoy each and every day. I also acknowledge all our active and reserve soldiers.......you are the most awesome people to put your country before yourself and your family. It has to be a difficult choice.......why would I want to be thousands of miles away in a hot, unfriendly country when I could be in my own comfortable bed at night?

My blog is normally about what I do to stay healthy and living a good life. This one is a bit different. It is the first Memorial day I am spending without my dad. He passed away in March after a very long struggle with diabetes, kidney disease and a laundry list of other ailments. The picture of him above, with my Aunt Marie, is the last time I saw him in person. Forever proud of my dad, I am reminded today that he was a vet. He served during the Korean conflict and was a member of the Coast Guards out of RI. No snickering here but protecting the shores of RI? Seriously?

After my dad's passing, I took a long look at my family. I guess I forgot how many members of my family (both maternal and paternal) have served this great country of ours. My godfather also served during the Korean conflict. My maternal grandfather, Alexander Poissant, is resting in the veterans cemetery in RI. I can't even recount the number of tours he did and conflicts he participated in. His brothers also proudly served our great country.

I am honored to say I have a glorious family history in protecting our great country and what it stands for. I am honored to say that I am active with Operation Baking Gals, a wonderful group of women who send homemade goods to our soldiers far from home to make their day a little brighter when a package arrives. I am proud of our country and what it stands for.

I end this post with thoughts of one of my favorite songs......Lee Greenwood says it best.

I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.....
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today...
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless The USA...

Love you dad...