(Photo: Dan Pelle, AP)

The plans for this Memorial Day have been made. A picnic in the park, a short vacation to the lake, a trip to the shopping mall, or maybe a visit to a military memorial or a parade. These are all well deserved rests – Americans work hard. However, as Americans, we need to force ourselves to pause and remember the fallen.

On Memorial Day, we remember those that fell in combat during America’s conflicts. It could be a U.S. Army paratrooper at Bastogne during World War II, a U.S. Marine on the banks of the frozen Chosin Reservoir in Korea, a U.S. Navy Sailor patrolling theMekong Delta in Vietnam or a U.S. Air Force pilot bombing southern Iraq duringDesert Storm.

We remember them all – their courage, sacrifice, professionalism, dedication and the essence that made them devote their life to their country. The Memorial Days since 9/11, we have primarily remembered those that have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nor can we forget the “small” wars of Panama, Haiti, Somalia and Lebanon, as well as countless other terrorist attacks where American servicemen and servicewomen died.

For America, remembering the sacrifice of others is not enough. The Americans who died in combat died acting with the conviction, dedication and passion that they were making America and the world safer and better. They were right and we need to repay their devotion with a dedication to act to make America better, just as they were doing when they fell. We need to act in a way that makes America better.

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By Chad Storlie 

GOD BLESS AMERICA! 

DEAN JAMES @ AMERICAS FREEDOM FIGHTERS

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