Memorial Day 2023

Typically, these blog posts take me about two weeks to write. I spend a week writing most of the article and then another week rewriting and editing until my self-imposed bi-weekly Monday deadline forces me to publish these posts.

On this Memorial Day 2023, however, I am writing this post on the morning of. As sometimes happens, I woke up this morning and knew I had to write this shorter-than-usual but much more mentally-pressing piece.

This weekend, I had the honor and privilege of participating in the?Murph Hero WOD?at the?National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus.?The workout is named after LT. Michael P. Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 28th, 2005. After completing the workout, I had the opportunity to look around the Veterans Memorial and Museum, and that experience is no doubt what caused sparked my inspiration this morning.

It would be easy to just pass a "thank you" into the heavens for those who sacrificed their lives in service to this country, but I wanted to share some of my recent thoughts and reflections.

America is often called "the land of opportunity," and the Museum honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the opportunity still shines throughout this land. As I wheeled through the Museum, I was uncharacteristically confined to my chair due to my leg's exhaustion after Murph. That semi-confinement led me to a realization that has stuck with me over the past few days:

Without those veterans making the ultimate sacrifice, I may have never even had to opportunity to live a "normal" life. Because of their sacrifice, the "land of opportunity" does apply to everyone, even individuals with disabilities.

Today, in 2023, there are countries where being disabled will get someone killed as a child. Entire countries are largely inaccessible to people with disabilities. In some countries, people with only physical disabilities are placed in mental health facilities, never to see the outside. Places in this world will not hire anyone who is seen as "different."?

In part because of the sacrifices made by those fighting for this country, I do not have to deal with most of those problems. I can build the life I want in a country that will actively support me.

I, admittedly, am at a loss for words to adequately express my gratefulness to those who died ensuring such freedoms could continue to exist in our country. I am writing this post both as a “thank you” and as a continuing promise to not squander the great opportunity given to me by this country.

I must admit, my promise above feels comically and frustratingly inadequate when weighed against giving your life in service to your country. While I will both continue to make the most of my life and complete Murph every Memorial Day weekend until my body no longer allows me to do so, I am always looking for ways to give back and hear more stories about what this day means to others. While there is no correct way to honor anyone, seeing what is out there is beneficial. Do you have any veteran-related causes you participate in or give to? Feel free to add them below, email me, or message me.