There is a day we stop and remember,
The men who fought with bravery.

Those who shed their blood and lost their lives,
So our country could live in liberty.

There is a day we stop and remember
The colors that we love.

The red, white and blue of freedom,
That fit our country like a glove.

White for purity of purpose,

Red for valor during battle,

Blue for justice paid to those who threaten us,

Are the gifts our Lord blessed upon our men.

There is a day we stop and remember,
That our men have not died in vain.

For after every battle is won,
Our country’s standards reign.

Wave a flag,
Place a flower upon a grave,
Say a prayer of thanks on Memorial Day.

For the price of freedom was freely paid.

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With my 11 generation, family tree currently 2/3 complete, I have discovered and verified at least 3 direct ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. One was killed. Four fought in the War of 1812. One more great, great, great, great grandfather gave his life for the USA. This family history of military wartime service & sacrifice continued on with the Union Side in the Civil War; and then, with each American Foreign War until the 1970’s. My one grandmother grew up without a father because of WWI. Over the generations, too many gave their lives for their country. But they all had chosen to defend their country. Each one had enlisted and went willingly to serve this nation. America owes these brave men so much.

Although many today think of Memorial Day as just the unofficial start of Summer, it is also a day to remember our veterans who gave their lives for our country.

Memorial Day was declared a national holiday through an act of Congress in 1971, and its roots date back to the Civil War era, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Originally called Decoration Day, Monday's holiday honors all soldiers who died during service to the nation.

In addition to one of my great grandfathers, some of his (and my other great grand parents') brothers, uncles, nephews & cousins also made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during the Civil War. May this (a war of national division) never happen again in America!!! My Civil War ancestors' - proud in Union uniform - are each in our family photo album. So many... So many stories of valor. So many stories of lives cut short & not fulfilled.

Please stop and take a moment this weekend to also think of and honor all the veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. From your own family and from someone else's. From the beginning of our nation until today. If you are new to the USA or if your family goes way back, please, please stop for at least a moment this weekend to honor America's Gold Star veterans. They gave their all for America.

To learn more about the history of this day: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history#History%20of%20Memorial%20Day