When my father was stationed overseas, I would stay up late praying he would stay safe, Jaala Brown writes on this Memorial Day.
All my life I have had an appreciation for Memorial Day. Almost everyone that I know in my family has served in the military, from my father to my cousins, to my grandfather. I was taught at a young age to respect those who lay down their lives to fight for this country.
When my father was stationed overseas, I would stay up late praying he would stay safe. I would stay up late in hopes of his return, anticipating the day my father would return back to me and the rest of my family. Because of God’s grace, no one in my family died while serving this country. This is the reason why I celebrate Memorial day even more.
There are thousands of parents, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, parents, wives, husbands, cousins, and grandparents who also stayed up late at night praying for their loved one’s safe return. However, my story sometimes isn’t the case for many families. They have to hear the sad news that their loved one who they couldn’t wait to see come home, has died.
Their loved one who they sent off to lay down their life for this country, is never coming back. This is why we must always celebrate those who have died for this Nation. Soldiers every day sign up to serve, knowing the possibility of them dying, leaving behind families, yet still choosing to fight anyway.
On Memorial Day, I will honor those who died for me and every American. I will honor those who were brave enough to fight. Every day we must commemorate, and never forget those who died and laid down their lives, while in service.