I spent my early childhood years living in Navy housing
on Yerba Buena Island. Sandwiched between Oakland and San Francisco, I woke up every morning to a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline.
I fondly remember brisk fogged mornings of presenting the colors with my father, a Navy Lieutenant, and the quiet evenings folding the flag into a tightly packed triangle. The pledge of allegiance was always spoken followed by a straight wrist salute.
Although I didn’t realize it as a child, those moments would stay with me for the rest of my life.
Every Memorial Day we take a day off of to go to the lake, spend time with family, or kick-off the summer with some fun in the sun. But that’s hardly the reason we’re given this day off. Memorial Day is a time where we remember those who have died for our nation. While we all enjoy this day of freedom from work, or school, or whatever else normally manages your time, let us not forget those who have given their lives so we could enjoy this day.
America is a diverse nation; no matter your religious beliefs, no matter your background, no matter your political allegiance, we can all agree that we have a freedom that many other countries do not give their citizens. This freedom that we enjoy is greatly due to the unselfish nature of our service men and women.
Whenever I pass a military person in uniform, I stop to say thank you. I’d like to think that it wasn’t just my Navy upbringing that made me this way, but the pride in my country and my sincere gratefulness for its citizens who wake up every morning, present the colors, give a straight wrist salute, and go about their day prepared to do anything for our freedom.
To all the service men and women who gave their lives so I could live my dream, thank you. To all the Evolvers out there, have a happy and safe Memorial Day.
-Nikki B.
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I’d like to say a special thank you to Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, who sacrificed his life in order to contact headquarters to bring his unit the proper back-up they needed. Although I never knew him, the story of his unselfish sacrifice for our country truly resonates with me and I am reminded of his bravery and courage with a simple metal bracelet my father sent me. If you would like to remember one of the fallen, please comment on this post.
