For many of us, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to summer,  a much-anticipated day off from work, a day dedicated to backyard barbeques, sunbathing at the beach, and kicking back with family & friends over a couple of cold ones. But, lest us not forget what Memorial Day really is…a time to honor the veterans who have given their lives fighting for our country.

I always feel a bit conflicted when this time of year rolls around. I don’t understand war. I can’t imagine being asked to take the life of another. Nor can I fathom what it takes to be willing to lay down my own life for the policies my government sets, particularly when I don’t always agree with them.

While I love traveling, it is hardly the same as going overseas to serve my country. I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to leave the people I love, for months and often years at a time, to go to a country that dislikes my own, hoping to make a positive difference or, worse yet, having to make impossible split-second decisions to save my own life, or that of my comrades, in exchange for another.

My inability to imagine such things leaves me feeling incredibly grateful to the more than 48 million men and women who have risen to the challenge, doing the impossible….putting their lives and personal interests on hold to preserve America’s freedom…my freedom.

To the million plus Americans who have died fighting to preserve the rights I enjoy, often without fully appreciating them, saying I am grateful just doesn’t seem enough. So, this Memorial Day weekend, amid the fun & photographing, I pledge to pause & reflect on those of you who have done, and continue to do, that which I cannot imagine. With this, I gratefully salute you!

In peace & love,

Christine