Remember

It's Memorial Day. So who––or what––are you remembering? 
Are they happy memories or sad memories? 
Are they ones you want to share or hope to keep buried?
In the spirit of what this day is truly about, who are you remembering who has sacrificed part––or even all––of their life to preserve your freedom and the freedom of this country?
I've known many men and women who have served in those roles––people I admire for their sheer bravery and dedication to our country, people I can't thank enough for what they've been through.
My own family has quite a few family members who have served some role in some branch of the military, some for only a few years, some for more than a few decades. Whatever their length of duty, however, it all counts. It all adds up to one thing: freedom and innumerable reasons to say thank you.
We make choices and dream dreams that are all made possible by the actions of these people, no matter how small or inconsequential they may initially seem. We can sleep just a little bit easier knowing we have the protection and dedication of our military. 
So say thank you, and say some prayers for those special men and women. 
Remember them when you see the flag or someone in uniform, yes...but also remember them when you're deciding what books to read or channel to watch. After all, without them you might not have so many choices.