Thank You

Sorry, I’m not one for politics. There, I said it.

I probably should be though, considering the current state of global affairs.

It’s just all of the partisan rhetoric, campaign promises, non campaign promises, scandals, mudslinging yada yada yada. You get the idea. (I think the politicizing of ‘global warming’ became the proverbial ‘straw’ that shattered the last functioning vertebrae of the poor camel’s spine for me.)

When it comes to politics… I’m jaded.

So, as I set politics aside on the highly political topic of war and its casualties (I don’t know how I’m going to pull this one off), I am a person that can recognize and appreciate the virtue in a selfless act. That is my mantra. And when an individual rises to ensure the safety of loved ones and even strangers back home during a time of war, I am struck at my core by the magnitude of that kind of sacrifice. Sometimes, ensuring our domestic safety means paying the ultimate price, the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate selfless act: a soldier’s life.

For every soldier’s selfless act I say, “thank you”. To each individual that has served or is currently serving honorably in our armed forces, I salute you. To my father who proudly served as a career soldier of twenty one years in the United States Army, I say “Thank you Pop… for everything. Love you, man.” Today is a memorial. It is a day to put politics aside and understand why we are with loved ones at picnics, barbecues and fireworks in the park.

I sit here freely today rendering illustrations, sketching new concepts, planning an itinerary for my next trip and typing this blog entry because of the countless selfless acts made by U.S. soldiers since the birth of this nation. I could tell everyone I run into today to remember our fallen soldiers, but remembrance is simply not enough. It would be a disservice. More than remembering, it all comes down to choice and the life you live.

Quite simply, is your life going to be a tribute or waste of the precious sacrifices made by all of our servicemen and servicewomen?

On a reflective note, I now share a moment of deep poignancy with you… one of my favorites, “Reflections” by Lee Teter.

Happy Memorial Day.