Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time in a small nearby hamlet. Upon turning onto the main business street of the village, I was immediately taken by the presence of two large memorials at the intersection. On both sides of these stones were engraved the names of those who had perished in the service of our country.

The list was amazingly large considering the small population from which it was drawn. Standing there, reading and touching the names, I was filled with a sense of melancholy and pride. Melancholy over how many had sacrificed their lives, and pride in this small community that had offered up so many of its own over so long a time.
Many of the family names on these monuments were familiar and are common in the area even today. One can not help thinking about the emotions that must be evoked in the minds and hearts of their descendants and family members whenever they view these monuments.

When viewing these memorials some things really start to make sense. You begin to understand that heroes are not defined on playing fields, or on the screens of movie theaters. Rather, they are shaped in our American cities and hamlets, inspired by those around them, and perpetuated by those they have served. What a wonderful legacy these heroes are.

This Memorial Day, take some time between the barbequed chicken and the toasted marshmellows to visit and to reflect over a nearby memorial. The meaning of hero and of patriot will never be clearer to you.

For those of you who intend to unfurl Old Glory this Memorial Day, there is an excellent free publication on How To Display Our Flag, offered by United Spinal Association (Formerly Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association.)