WhaHappen?

Has it already been a year since my last Memorial Day post? It seems like time evaporates instantly while we rush around our daily routines. And yet, for the families and friends who have lost a soldier, a marine, sailor, or airman, time isn’t something that means much anymore. Because the only kind of time that matters is the kind they’ll never have. Time with their loved one who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

There’s not much I take so seriously, except for this one day a year. While it hurts me every Sunday as I read the names and stories of those recently killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, Memorial Day is the day I will allow myself to really take in the sadness and depth of loss for so many families. But to honor the troops with fervent pride all year long is, for me, a way to ease the pain I feel for those left behind and grieving.

I take pride every single day in my country’s freedom and in the men and women who preserve that freedom. My heart swells with tribute especially when I see an American flag – and I’m often reminded that our servicemembers are still out there fighting for what our flag stands for.

I asked my bestest New York friend Rich Arcari (ya like that, Rich?) to snap pictures of flags in my most favorite city. (I love that everywhere around this country, we get glimpses of the flag all the time.) This first one is from the front of his apartment and the other one is of the 92nd Street Y.

And if anyone else can send me photos of our flag flying in other cities and towns, leave me a comment, or upload it into the comments section. It would be fun to have a page on this blog displaying American flags from places near and far. That way, I’ll always have flags to look at, from all around the country, as a reminder of our freedom and tribute to our troops fighting and sacrificing for FREEDOM. God bless their families! My heartfelt gratitude goes to them also.

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In Honor of Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice