Memory Lane Monday - Memorial Day Gratitude...

It was 1979. My brother was in the Navy, stationed on the aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz. The ship was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. Tensions had increased over Iran's taking of fifty two American hostages. Four months later, Operation "Evening Light" was launched in an effort to rescue the hostages. The rescue was aborted when too many helicopters were lost in the desert to safely transport hostages and military personnel out of the region.

In 1979, my brother would have been twenty years old. He worked as a member of the "crash crew" (firemen) on the deck of the immense carrier. A long way from home, in the middle of a heroic effort in a strange place, he must have feared for his life as much as the helicopter pilots that he would help welcome back to the ship. He also mourned the lives of fellow crew members who would not return to port. All his family back here prayed for his safety and confirmation that he was alright.

There were other moments during his tenure on the ship that caused all of us to worry, including a time when some of the aircraft exploded on the deck and lives were lost. We knew he would be right in the middle of all the chaos, and prayed for word from the Navy that he was safe. We were one of the lucky families. Others would never return home to theirs. They made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

When we were children, Memorial Day was always the beginning of summer, picnics, swimming, camp and cookouts. My mum always took us downtown to watch the parades, too. We loved the marching bands and Shriners on their motorcycles, but I never fully appreciated the men and women in uniform until after my brother served. Of course, I studied history in school, but never really grasped the impact of the stories of war; families affected; lives spent - until my brother proudly wore the uniform of the United States Navy.

Today, I'd like to ask that you pause to consider the bravery, commitment and strength of all of those people who have fought to preserve our way of life in the United States. Pray for the families who never got to hold their loved ones again. Bow your head and take a moment to thank them all. Their sacrifices made it possible for all of us to live in freedom in the best country in the world.

Thank you, brother, for your service - along with so many others that I could name - and so many more unknown to me.

God Bless all of them - and God Bless America.

Thanks for joining me for Memory Lane Monday. You can join the party by linking up between today and June 6th. I look forward to reading your stories, too - whether they're sweet family memories or related to Memorial Days past. After you've posted your story on your blog, just come back and link up below.