It’s Memorial Day in the US of A, which means summer is officially here and you can, once again, wear white shoes without fear of reprimand. It also means parades. Lots and lots and LOTS of parades. You can’t throw a snow cone without hitting a marching band in just about every town in America this weekend. Parades are good fun for everyone and many of your favorite local organizations are part of the festivities. Stop by, wave, and show your support.
Of course, the true purpose of Memorial Day is to take the time to reflect on what our men and women in the armed forces do for us every day. There’s always a lot of talk about how they’re out there protecting our freedom – which they are – but that can all start to sound kind of vague and cliché the 400th time a reporter says it. So, think about the very tangible things service men and women do. I tend to think of them as always being on the front lines. In war, in a natural disaster, during a local crisis – whenever there is the need for a well-trained, hard-working, stay-calm-under-pressure group of people, you can be sure to find military personnel ready and willing to help.
So stand up today when the flag passes by. Take off your ballcap and tip it to the men and women who have made this country safe for weekend barbecues and softball games. If you feel like showing your gratitude in a more tangible way, check out Charity Navigator’s four-star recommendations:
- Fisher House Foundation
- Homes For Our Troops
- National Military Family Association
- Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust
Thanks to everyone who wears our country’s uniform. We simply wouldn’t be here without you.
photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com
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Tags: Charity Navigator, Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, Fisher House, Homes forr our Troops, Memorial Day, National Military Family Association, veterans
