Something that many people don't know about me is that I absolutely love War Movies. As an avid lover of comedy and romance, it may be surprising that some of my all time favorite movies include Lone Survivor, Zero Dark Thirty, The Guardian, and Black Hawk Down.
After staying in with my siblings last night and finally watching American Sniper, I have a reviewed perspective on Memorial Day. Not that I had never thought about the meaning of Memorial Day before, but the timing of watching this movie really helped it sink in for me. Knowing that this movie, and so many other war movies that I have watched before, are based off of true stories is baffling to me. While watching these films, I become so engrossed in the story, that when the movies end and real life footage of funerals and photographs of the individuals roll by, I have to bring myself back to reality and understand that these were real people. This realization, more often that not, moves me to tears.
Soldiers like Chris Kyle, Marcus Luttrell, Michael Murphy, Danny Dietz, and Matthew "Axe" Axelson have been portrayed so incredibly in these films, that it is sometimes hard to fathom that they weren't made up for a screenplay. It is with great honor that I write this article in an attempted ode to them and the millions of others like them.
There are millions of men and women from the United States who put their lives on the line every single day, to work towards something bigger than themselves. They leave their families and friends behind, and they fight for our country and for the protection of our citizens. These individuals spend years training and fighting for the greater good. They are the most selfless human beings that exist in all of our lives.
Today, I would like to challenge you. As you down your beers, saturate your hamburgers with ketchup, jam out to country music, and enjoy your day off from work or school, please think of our soldiers. Think of their parents, their spouses, their children, their brand new babies, and their loyal pets, waiting for them to come home. Think of the family members of the ones who have not been lucky enough to return home, the ones that face this day with intense sadness, not celebration. Maybe, just maybe, take a few minutes out of your day to sit in silence and remember the brave souls who lost their lives fighting for our country, and send a thank you their way. Write a card, put together a care package, send a few emails- whatever it may be, try to make a difference in their lives, because they sure as hell are making a difference in ours.
Thank you United States soldiers for protecting our country and for putting your life on the line every day to ensure our safety. It is because of individuals like you that allow us to always be 'Proud to be an American.'
"All gave some, some gave all."
