Can we talk?

Memorial Day Weekend

         This weekend means many things to many people. It will be a big sale day in furniture and appliance stores. Some retailers and car dealers will have extended hours. Government employees will be off, so they are expected to go shopping. Most people will have some kind of special food, a picnic or a cookout or at least some hamburgers.

         There's a challenge out this year for as many people as possible to fly an American flag in the front yard. One chain store sells a t-shirt each year very cheaply with the year and the flag on it. Veterans will be dispersing paper poppies this Saturday. TV will be re-running old war movies.

         At my house, we'll have hamburgers, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, strawberries, watermelon, and iced tea. We'll use the red, white, and blue tablecloth and have some patriotic decor. If I can find our small flags, I'll put them out in the yard. The preschoolers who visit all know the pledge of allegiance, the ones that talk, that is. We'll blow some bubbles with them.

         One of my brothers has a knack for meeting older men and getting them engaged in conversation about their service. He's heard a lot of great stories that way. He'll share the latest one he's heard. I'll remind them about someone in our family tree who served. And we'll give thanks for all those who have served their country, who died for what they thought was right.

         To all the service men and women out there, who sacrifice for the good of their country, I pray for your safety and give thanks for you. I salute all our wounded warriors and all our veterans of any age. Thank you for your service.