Today on Feedback, to commemorate Memorial Day, my guest was United States Army veteran Sam Rogers, strategic director for Concerned Veterans for America. He shared stories of those whom he served alongside that lost their lives while deployed in Afghanistan. He stated that he struggled on Memorial Day in years past until he was told by one of his unit leaders that this was a “holiday to remember people that sacrificed” and that “we have the opportunity to live the life that they didn’t.” So now every year, he views Memorial Day as a celebration of those who served our country so courageously and honorably.
On the second half of Feedback, callers shared tributes to their loved ones that lost their lives serving our country.
The highlight of the morning came after the program concluded when listener Jim from Stevens Point shared this with me via email:
For decades I struggled to find meaning in my uncle Donald C. Lepak’s ultimate sacrifice. He was killed in Vietnam in 1968. It seemed to be in vain, but I didn’t want to believe that. Maybe I’m reaching or wishing to find some peace. Maybe I’m on to something. But, my co-worker and great friend James Banovetz’s oldest son recently married an absolutely delightful woman. Her family is from Vietnam. Without the efforts to keep the oppressive evil communist North Vietnamese from destroying the South Vietnamese at will, her family likely would have been murdered 50 years ago and she would not even exist. They are expecting a child this fall. All babies are special and deserve a chance to be loved. This child though? I will undoubtedly weep tears of joy when I hold her for the first time. Uncle Don did NOT die in vain. His life and sacrifice meant something. Memorial Day is an important and meaningful national holiday. But, growing up in a Gold Star family, I can’t help but believe it has always meant more to us. In the late 90’s I took my grandmother on a quest to visit D.C. with the main purpose to visit The Wall. I can still to this day hear in my head the gasp she expressed the moment she put her hand on the engraved name of her fallen son, Donald. May he rest in peace.
Please take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to honor the fallen.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13
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