Memorial Day Memory

When I attended the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM... I thought I was out of my mind. But the experience was a pivotal moment in my life and one, particular, memory comes to mind as we enter the Memorial Day Weekend.

After about 3-4 weeks of intense physical and mental abuse from the cadre leading my troop (full of 15-20 year old boys pretending to be men) we were standing at attention on an otherwise normal weekday morning at 5:30 a.m. dressed in our "cami's" while the morning reveille was blaring over the loudspeakers... followed by our national anthem. You know - the one where everyone should put their hands over their hearts when it plays... or salute if you're in the military!?

On this day, one of my fellow RATs (recruits at training) had a particularly defiant and lazy salute as the national anthem played. His lack of care and seemingly intentional half-assed posture made the rest of us look bad.

That's when it happened. My troop XO (executive officer) stormed through the rank and file and was inches from the cadet's face - already red with anger that almost steamed from his perfectly pressed uniform. What he said that day I'll never forget.

"(insert name of the lazy cadet), I don't give a $&#! if you ever go into the military, learn how to about-face, square your corners, run an 8-minute mile, or present arms... but you WILL show that flag the respect it deserves. You WILL salute... AT attention... and RESPECT all the people who have fought to make that flag what it is today!"

Each sentence came out with increased intensity as he continued: "My great grandfather fought in WW2 and died for that flag, my grandfather was in Vietnam and died for that flag... my father went to Desert Storm, for that flag... and one day, God-willing, I'll be given the chance to represent our country and do the same!"

Almost at tears - my XO finished his beratement of my team member and the whole troop fell silent. We got it. The men and women who represent our country and make the ultimate sacrifice should be lifted to the highest regard and they deserve our appreciation.

Memorial Day is about those who fell in battle in the line of duty... please say a prayer, a thank you, and send your love to anyone who has lost a member of our military. And please - when you hear the national anthem... stop and cover your heart... and give it the respect it deserves.