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Just a few words to the younger generation before this weekend and the culmination on Memorial Day. I'm not going to tell you to be a somber faced zombie and act all despondent. The only thing I want you to do for those who paid the ultimate price for your freedoms is to understand exactly what transpired and acknowledge it for the only day it's publicly celebrated once a year. Just because you believe being an expert at video war games means you're ready and able doesn't make it so. No, that doesn't even qualify for 1/1 day in bootcamp. They break you down mentally and physically to evaluate your stamina, then put you back together in a fighting machine mentality. You're taught discipline, restraint, and effectiveness. You're taught the "big picture", not just a little screen in front of you. You're educated and trained to the highest levels possible, so when you DO wind up in the impossible scenario, you've got enough training to fall back on to survive instead of losing control. In the Navy, you're also taught about ships and damage control because, well, DUH ! That's your house AND your belongings, too ! What we're remembering are those folks who went through all of that, but sadly never returned to enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice. On Memorial Day, at 3PM, a new tradition has been started last year that echoes everything. All across America, Taps will be played by anyone who can play a musical instrument. Videos will be uploaded, and people everywhere collectively stop and take a moment to appreciate those who died that we might be free. I think that's a wonderful tradition and hope it's permanent. Recognition of their sacrifices is more frequent for those of us who've served, but not to the extent of the Gold Star Families who have to deal with the emotions of watching the one day celebration of something they have to live with every day of their lives. A few minutes of prayerful thanks for the price that THEY paid is paltry. Unlike the video war games, death IS permanent. In some cases it's painless, in others, sadly not. The conclusion is inarguably NOT what any human being desires. The fact it happened out of duty to country and in service to others mandates respect. No matter what your views on war, guns, or the military is, you've STILL got to respect a person who is willing to place themselves in that position to be able to safeguard your right to oppose it. Take a moment and go back throughout history and contemplate the ramifications of victory reversal in any/every war/action that's ever taken place. Where would WE be? Who'd be running things? What kind of world would we be living in? What languages would you speak? Would we even KNOW what freedom or liberty mean? So many things could've/would've been different. Yeah, enjoy your family get together. Have responsible fun with your friends. Celebrate the gifts we've inherited from their sacrifices, but always make room for the requisite thanks. They'd have it no other way, and celebrate right along with us. No, they didn't plan things to work out the way it did for them, but I can assure you that they wouldn't have it any other way if it would've changed how we live here at home. It's our responsibility to inculcate that into the children and grandchildren of today. We OWE that to them, their comrades in arms, and the Gold Star Families. May God bless them all, and God bless America !