Seems like I just blogged about Memorial Day, yet it's already been a year. Since last year's Memorial Day, hubby has deployed to the Middle East again and returned. It was a long year. But we got through it.

So much so, that I've already gotten used to having him home again. It's easy for me to let myself forget.

This past weekend, he and I went again to the opening cermonies for the Memorial Day ceremony that a local church puts on. The memorial wall is bigger than it was last year--another couple of panels have been added at least, with the names inscribed of those who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a sobering reminder of the real human cost that has been paid, and continues to be paid. 

The general from our base was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. The music was lovely, the honor guard sharp, and the thoughts touching. Yet what caught my attention was a group of motorcycle riders off to the side of the "official" seating area. Through the ceremony, they sat, relaxed, on the grass. I figured they were war veterans from their insignia. I didn't pay much attention to them until the ceremonial taps was played at the end. To a man, they all stood up and saluted. That's when the tears filled my eyes. Because it reminds me that everyday, all around the world, it's the ordinary men and women from our country that are serving in our armed forces.

 If you are blessed to be with your own family, cooking out with friends....pause a moment to say a prayer for them and their families. They may be at war, they may be far from home, but I can assure you they are just going about their jobs and business without thought of being thanked. They do it because they are free to do so, and better yet, they protect yours and my precious freedoms in the process. They are why this is the greatest country on earth!!