I posted this poem once before, but Memorial day is an apt time to repeat these words.

I would like to offer a heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our great nation, and the tireless families that supported them.

Our freedom was purchased; in fact, we are still making payments.

Let us not forget the price that we have paid for it.

The Soldier

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

By Charles M. Province

Omar, you brightened my morning with your polite note of thanks. I'm sure that I am not the only one.

Update 0505300920: Memorial Day has a website with some great resources. Check it out.