Why Memorial Day Means More This Year

Memorial Day this year may mean even more than what it usually does.

It is the day every year that honors the hundreds of thousands of Americans serving in the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The men and women who have given their lives in service to their country and their oath to defend it at all costs. Eve giving up their lives.

The stories we hear on Memorial Day are stories about those who risked and lost their lives saving others during battles and confrontations with enemies in two World Wars, in South Korea, Vietnam, Irag and Afghanistan.

But on this Memorial Day, when we are still in mourning and still grieving for the victims in Uvalde Texas and Buffalo New York, and remembering the victims of other recent mass shootings in the U.S. we also are thinking about those who serve their country on different front lines against a different enemies…evil enemies who arm themselves with high powered weapons and attack schools, stores, churches, workplaces and concerts.

And this is why so many Americans are stunned and angry over the actions of what happened at Robb Elementary School where law enforcement officers did not respond like first responders are supposed to respond.

The way that we saw how first responders responded when they rushed into the Twin Towers on 9-11 to save other lives even if it meant losing theirs. And we know police and firefighters every day in cities across the country are risking their lives every day to help and save others.

So on this Memorial Day, as we honor those who have fallen in battle far from home, we might also want to remember those who are fighting battles against evil at home, the vast majority of first responders who also are willing to lay down their lives, if necessary, like those in the military, to protect us.

(Photo Getty Images)