A few weeks ago on Memorial Day my family spent a quiet day at home.  We grilled out hamburgers and hot dogs.  My husband had a rare day off from work.  I think we watched TV.  Apparently nothing memorable happened since I can't quite recall what we did.  I do remember having a nagging feeling that we should be doing something more meaningful.  Memorial Day is set aside to remember men and women who have given their lives on behalf of our country.  Surely we should be doing more than eating hot dogs.  But, I'm never sure quite what, so we spent the day grilling out with the rest of America.  

On the other side of the world on Memorial Day Chief Warrant Officer Theodore U. Church and his co-pilot 1st Lt. Keith N. Heidman died when their helicopter crashed after enduring heavy enemy fire north of Baghdad. Both pilots were serving with the 25th Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Six other soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb as they headed to the scene of the crash.   

CW2 Church, age 32,  was married to his high school sweetheart, Mindy.  He had a six year old daughter and a four year old son.  He was described by friends as a man's man who had a love and respect for his wife and children that inspired others to emulate him.  He and Mindy celebrated their twelfth anniversary just two days before his death by sending text messages.  CW2 Church was scheduled to return from Iraq in July or August.

On his right arm he had a tattoo of the American flag with the names of his wife and children above it.  Below the flag it said, "I am prepared to die in their defense."  For CW2 Church, this war was personal.  He was not fighting for politics or policies, but for his family and his country. 

No, I don't think hot dogs are going to do the job.

As an American citizen I thank you, Chief Warrant Officer Theodore Church for your courage and your sacrifice. I thank your family for all they have given for the cause of freedom. I will remember you, and I will teach my children to remember you. We are forever in your debt.

"The price for freedom has at times been very high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price...We have every right to dream heroic dreams.  Those who say that we are in a time when there are no heroes just don't know where to look."  - Ronald Reagan