Memorial Day

In response to several remarks of thanks and appreciations for my military service through out the Memorial Day weekend, I did some well needed research on Memorial Day. It brought some things to light for me.

First of all, as much as I am truly thankful for all the kind remarks and thanks, I am not the one that deserves them. Memorial Day is for those you have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their sacrifices gave me my freedom. Their sacrifices gave me the choice of religion, the choice of future, the choice of whether or not to join the military. There are many things that I take for granted daily that I wouldn’t be able to do or maybe even talk about if it wasn’t for the brave men and women that came before me. I thank those people and I thank those families. Today you are in my mind and my heart.

Also, I would like to point out individuals that show me how close life and death really are. These two men went to school with me at Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Fl. Are paths have crossed many times, whether it have been at school, in the streets, an airport or a military base.

Army Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes : Sgt Mathes died in Baghdad in April 2008 from wounds sustained when enemy forces hit his base by an indirect fire attack. Sgt Mathes and I graduated from Zephyrhills High School together in 2002. I joined the Air Force in Oct 2003 and he the Army in March 2005. We might not have been the greatest friends but we will always be brothers. Sgt Mathes will be missed.

Sgt, I thank you for your service to our country. You paid the ultimate sacrifice that so few yet too many make. I thank your family for being strong through the whole process and keeping your name strong so that we may remember you in your strength. May God bless you family.

Army Specialist Jonathan O’Neill: SPC O’Neill was injured by an improvised explosive ordinance that hit is vehicle in Afghanistan. SPC O’Neill graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 2004. We never we in any classes together. We went to school together and share the Bulldog Pride. SPC O’Neill passed away while at Brooks Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX while I was doing a TDY at BAMC. Once again our journeys crossed each other.

SPC, I thank you for your service to our country. I know you were young and people will probably say you were only but a child. But I stand witness that you are more of man they many that walk our streets are today. Thanks for volunteering the serve your nation. We all know that the ultimate sacrifice is a possibility when we repeat the Oath of Enlistment. Thanks for being brave and strong. Thank you for your family and friends that keep your memories strong. May God bless your family.

Both these men have done what many have done before. Let us not forget these men who have touched so many before paying the ultimate price of freedom while serving the strongest military in the world. Let us remember what Memorial Day is all about and let us remember that just because it might not be someone in family doesn’t mean your circle of influence hasn’t been affected.
I finish this blog by saying I will no longer see Memorial Day as a 3 day weekend that gets me out of work. I will no longer just be happy with being thanked for my service on this day. But I will make sure I remember and I participate in honoring our fallen heroes.

Please if you have not already taken a moment of remembrance I ask you do so now. May God bless all of you and your families.

- Jethro