Memorial Day reflections

Photo By Gregg Moore | Flags stand next to each grave marker at the Los Angeles National Cemetery for Memorial Day.  

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES

05.25.2015

Story by Maj. Gregg Moore 

311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command   

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Thousands of white markers stand in the grass, each represent a passed life. Each tells about a person with a unique name, background, religion, hometown, and story. All are very American.

Many of the men and women buried in our national cemeteries lived decades beyond their military service. Most are men who served for two to four years at a time in their life when they could barely grow facial hair. Some of the people interned lived better lives because of the discipline and skills they learned during their service, or because of the college education they were able to afford with the GI Bill. Some of these people may have lived worse lives because of their service. Perhaps their sacrifices were too much to get over. Perhaps they sacrificed limbs or lived with other injuries - some visible, some not.

On Memorial Day we reflect upon the hundreds of thousands of men and women who died while serving the American people. We have parades and gather with friends and family to celebrate all that is good about our lives in America. We spend time thinking about those service members we knew personally. We plant a tiny American flag at each grave.

For every tiny flag, there is a full-size flag folded neatly into a triangle and stored on a shelf, on a wall, in a drawer, or in the attic given on behalf of a grateful nation. As America’s place in the world has continually changed and improved through history, it has almost always been on the backs of the military. America’s abundance and what some may call exceptionalism is made possible only by sacrifice.

We value their service, not because they are heroes. We value them simply because they served the greater good, and that is what really matters.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2015
• Date Posted: 05.26.2015 00:06
• Story ID: 164482
• Location: LOS ANGELES, CA, US