In Honour of Those Who Served

Today is Memorial Day in the U.S.

A day set aside to remember, honour, mourn and thank those who have paid the highest price while wearing the nation’s uniform and under our flag.

Thank you for having served in the far past, and in the always-fleeting present.

What is a soldier?
A soldier is someone who is trained to destroy, and to protect.
A soldier is someone who is prepared to kill, and to die.
A soldier is someone who every day struggles with the intimate reality of the soul.
A soldier is a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend, a lover, a spouse.
A soldier is someone who serves – the people, and other soldiers.
A soldier is someone who chose, or was chosen, to give this service.

There are no ‘Citizen Soldiers’.
A soldier is a citizen…
Who wears our uniform and offers his or her life to serve.
Some ask, what is the difference between a soldier and a mercenary?
A mercenary is hired.
A soldier is called.

Thank you to all who have, and still answer, that call.
And today, thank you to those who have fallen as soldiers so that we might live as citizens.

We love you, we miss you; thank you.