Memorial Day

Memorial Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. When I was younger it had to do with the fact that my birthday always fell right around Memorial Day Weekend. As I got older and more interested in the history behind the holiday, I learned Memorial Day had actually traditionally been celebrated on May 30 (my birthday). Memorial Day originated to commemorate the Soldiers who died in the Civil War and has evolved to remember all US service members lost in combat. It wasn't until last year, after Hubster's unit lost two Soldiers in combat, that Memorial Day actually meant anything though.

Source

This photo was taken at Warriors Walk in the spring of 2011. It was taken by one of the wives from our unit at Fort Stewart of her husband. By the spring of 2012, he had his own tree at Warriors Walk. Warriors Walk is an area of Fort Stewart dedicated to the Soldiers of the 3rd ID lost in combat. To remember each Soldier, a tree is planted as a living memorial. Currently, there are 457 trees planted at the Walk, which surrounds the parade field where most homecoming reunions take place. Warriors Walk has always been one of my favorite and least favorite things about Fort Stewart. I love how Soliders are remembered in such a thoughtful way, I just hate seeing how many trees there and how many families have had their loved ones stolen from them. 

This year for Memorial Day, we don't really have plans. We'll most likely just hangout at home, or take the kids to the park. No BBQs or anything like that though. It'll be a quiet day to remember Sgt Born and Sgt Conrad as well as the thousands of others who have given their lives for our country. No matter what you do today, take a second to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom.