Memorial Day is the first sign of summer. Local pools open up, the days start getting longer, and the heat intensifies. But Memorial Day is more than just a Monday in May where everyone gets the day off. It is about remembering the men and women who have served and are serving the United States of America.
People use this day to show how much the troops are appreciated. One of the most popular examples is in Major League Baseball. For Memorial Day, each team will wear a camouflage hat with their team logo in black. There will also be camouflage in the lettering of the team names on the front of their jerseys. The names and numbers of each player will also be in camouflage. In addition, each game played will have a moment of silence before the national anthem to remember all those who lost their lives protecting America.
There is always an outbreak of tweets and posts on social media accounts that show their respect to the men and women who serve. But these actions are only for one day of the year. Sure there will be similar things on the Fourth of July and Veterans Day, but this needs to be more than just a one or two day fling.
Imagine how the troops are that are deployed away from their families and cannot enjoy an off day from work to relax, cook burgers on the grill, and drink an ice cold beer. These soldiers never get a day off when they are stationed in a foreign country. The time that they have off is usually spent trying to get in contact with family members back home. They need the love and support of the nation every day of the year. They know they are fighting to protect the people and the rights the people have been given. But, they hardly ever get recognition for the hard work they put in and the sleepless nights when out on a mission.
Being a soldier is not for the faint of heart. A soldier must be mentally and physically strong, smart, and willing to lay their life on the line for the other soldiers fighting beside them. And yet, some people feel that it is unnecessary for soldiers to be all over the world. The troops are just trying to give people the experience that Americans get every day. They want other countries to achieve freedom of speech, religion, and much more.
America is the powerhouse of the world. Countries love us or hate us because of the freedoms the people are given. Some of my friends are in the Army, Navy, and the Marines, and they tell me there is no better feeling than knowing that they are helping people in need. That is why we need to appreciate our troops not just one day, but every day. Because without them, nobody would be protecting us.
