Category Archives: Memorial Day

Remembering… Memorial Day

That’s what Memorial Day is… a day to reverently reflect on those who have served and paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

For those who lost a loved one in service, every day is a memorial day.

Laying PFC Aaron Fairbairn to rest KIA July 4 2009 Afghanistan

Time does heal, things do get better and life goes on, if you can survive the tragedy.

Taps in honor of memorial day Aaron Fairbairn thankyouaaronToday, I can look at a flag waving in the breeze without letting a tear drop. I can walk up to military staff in public, shake their hand and tank them for their service fairly easily. Taps (the haunting single-trumpet or bulge song played at military funerals) will always be a haunting tune for our family.

For our family, Memorial Day is a solemn time for remembering Aaron, the people that he served with, the others who gave their lives due to the same sequence of events that led them to answer the call, making the ultimate sacrifice and all other men and women who have served and given all for the greater good.

Behind the scenes, this last week, cemeteries along with veterans, boy scouts and other concerned people and organizations have visited the graves of all who have given their lives in service to our country and pre-decorated the gravesides for those who would come to visit.

If you’ve never don’t it before, visiting a decorated cemetery on Memorial Day touches your heart in a way that is difficult to explain. We go there to see Aaron, but to see such a high percentage of other gravesites marking those who have shared in Aaron’s heroism is deeply impactful.

This weekend friends and family travel to cemeteries all across the United States to pay their respects to those whom we honor this weekend, though there are many who have little regard for the reason behind Memorial Day and focus more on having the long weekend to have fun and frolic – which is, in fact, part of the meaning behind this weekend – for without the price for freedom being paid by others, we would not be able to enjoy the life we live in the USA.

In the morning on Memorial Day, flags will wave at half-mast, just like they did all over the State of Washington in honor of Aaron’s sacrifice; another image that is deeply felt by those who have share the loss of a loved one in military service.

In my brother’s town (Washington D.C.) the United States Capitol will be hosting the National Memorial Day Concert to honor the men and women who gave their lives for this country.

Taps will be played at Memorial Day flag ceremonies presented by Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Veteran’s organizations and other paramilitary organizations around America this weekend in honor of those who have paid the ultimate price.

All service people give of themselves, for which we are so grateful; this is a celebration of the lives of the heroes who have given all, making it possible for us to enjoy all this life has to offer.

Memorial Day May 25, 2015

Nothing like a three-day weekend to remind you of all that you have; a chance to load up the kids and head for the beach, gather with family and friends & fire up the barbeque, laugh, frolic and enjoy discount sales at your favorite stores.

But this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. It is the day that is set aside to honor those who have given their lives for us to enjoy our everyday lives, here in the United States of America.

Memorial Day remember the fallen heroes thankyouaaron

This business of protecting our American freedoms can be an ugly endeavor and thank God for the men and women who volunteer to take on the responsibility of standing in the gap on our behalf. They all take the same oath; some pay the ultimate price, not coming home in a seat but in a flag-draped box.

This Memorial Day remember the fallen heroes thankyouaaron

Regardless of political affiliation or personal belief, these men and women who have given their all on our behalf are true American heroes; the performance of their duties must be respected and their sacrifice is to be honored.

Memorial Day May 25 2015

Of the millions of American families who get together this holiday in joyous celebration, many with an empty place-setting experience a more somber reverance, recognizing that their number is one less and Monday is the day that we decorate their graves.

Memorial Day Missing Man Table we remember

Yes, we all should celebrate, party and have a good time; but also remember to take a moment to peacefully pause in remembrance of those who have given all that they possibly could. After all, this is the cause for celebrating this holday.

Memorial Day Remembbrance Table

Love to all who serve and continue to stand in the gap, as we honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day 2015.

 

Memorial Day 2014

On Memorial Day we remember the fallen. Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Remember-the-Fallen-Memorial-Day-2014-Aaron-FairbairnThere are so many who have given some and so many who have given all in the name of God and country.

On July 4th, 2009, PFC Aaron Fairbairn joined the ranks of the heroes who have he ultimate price on our behalf, so that we can live in a land that is free.

I am not the only person who would have gladly traded places with Aaron in that moment. Aaron was so loved and had so much to give that many would have rather taken his place so that the world would know how much he had to give to other privileged to share in his presence. But his journey was that of the honored hero by his choice and was his destiny.

There is not a more honorable challenge to any human who is willing to lay down his life for the benefit of his friends, and Aaron and so many others have accepted this charge that we remember on this day and are so grateful for their sacrifice.

In this way they have made such a significant impact on our lives, that is easy for us to overlook while we are content to work, play and relax in our neighborhoods and homes as others – even now – have elected to accept the difficult details for us, knowing that any breath they take might be their last.

This day, I join with all by brethren who have also lost a loved one in service to God and country, because the sacrifice is not only paid by the hero, but also evermore by each and everyone who love and cared for the… and are reminded of their sacrifice daily.

But on this day, we all stand hand-in-hand agreeing together regardless of our differences in gratitude of all who have fallen for us.

We honor, love and are grateful for each and every one, this Memorial Day (if not every day of) 2014. God bless all who have gone on to fight the fight from beyond, and all those who still feel the price of their heroism.

Remember the Fallen – Memorial Day

PFC Aaron E. Fairbairn was only 20 years old when he made good on his promise to honor God and country, even to the extent of having to sacrifice his own life while fighting amidst his heroic brothers in arms. On that unforgettable 4th of July, 2009, Aaron joined the rank and file of the countless number of other heroes who have sacrificed their all in service of America, and the freedoms that we the living hold so dear, yet all too often take for granted.

aaron-fairbairn-memorial-day-600We celebrate during this long weekend, saluting those who gave their all for the notion that we, each and every one, are born with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, for Aaron, and all who gave their lives, let us take a moment to pause in silence, to remember.

While you are enjoying the holiday with those you care about, let us think of the other families whose members are absent, for they have paid the ultimate price for this occasion. All have given some and some have given all. In memory of Aaron, I respectfully request that you join me in honoring all past American heroes, and pray for their souls and their loved ones, while also honoring those who continue to put themselves in harms way for us, here at home.

Because my Aaron was so alive with the promise of America, and a better world for all mankind, my Memorial Day not only glorifies those who have been lost, but those who are in action right now. My Memorial Day reminds me of those who have not only crossed over while wearing a uniform, but those who are serving proudly, though oftentimes neither respected nor appreciated appropriately. My Memorial Day merges the past and present for allowing us the freedoms of this great country.

Aaron died defending freedom. We the living must salute those in service who continue to serve from beyond while continuing to support those who have taken their place. Whenever I hear taps, when I see fireworks in the sky, when I see flags hanging proudly on their staffs, I know that I am safe and I know that I am free. How good it is to know that as long as courageous men and women are willing to fight for all that is great about America, we can sing ‘God Bless America’, and say, ‘Thank you’.

In loving memory, of Aaron Fairbairn.