Transitions and the Last Monday in May

Summer is finally here.

For some of us it came a little early, but for our friends up north; it could not have come soon enough.

Funny thing, it came. It always does, because that’s just how things work.

Seasons are one of the few guarantees we have in life. Spring leads to summer, as does the autumn lead to winter. Days become nights, nights become days, and off we go, one transition after another.

Some transitions are more predictable than others, and some last longer than the rest. In Atlanta, we like to joke that this is the only city in the world where you can experience all 4 seasons in a single week, and even if that is true, we still look forward to the changes we have grown to expect.

Transitions can be fun when you expect them.

If you know they are coming, you plan, make arrangements, and even have a party here and there. It is fun to celebrate change, especially when you know the outcome and expect the results. Kids are graduating from high schools and universities all over the world this week, and that’s fun. Parties, banquets, speeches and toasts, all geared to celebrate a predictable end and a new beginning.

Transitions, are fun, or at least they should be.

There are memories made in transitions, some good and some sad. We like to reminisce on what got us here, and how we made it happen. Life is full of ups and downs, so when we have a moment to reflect, it helps if we allow the happy times a front row seat at our memories celebration feast. It’s much more pleasant to remember the best of times, but we always need to pause and remember the “other times” as well.

Those “other times” are what we would like to forget.

Those “other times” were when we hurt the most.

Those “other times” when we felt lonely and lost.

It is from there, the “other times” prior to the transition, that we learn who we really are. It is there, where we learn life’s biggest lessons, and from there our hearts break with the loudest tears.

____ ____ ____

Next Monday is special; it is the last Monday in May.

It is a day we purposely choose to pause and celebrate the “other times” and the lost moments we would normally like to forget.

Next Monday is a precious day.

Next Monday is a sacred day.

Next Monday is Memorial Day.

____ ____ ____

For a lot of people, Memorial Day is a celebration that officially starts the summer season. The grills are fired up, boats are back in the water, and kids all smiling knowing school is soon coming to an end.

That’s the way it should be and that’s how those we memorialize would want it.

As we get lost in our summer celebration, many people fail to understand what Memorial Day is all about. They believe it is a day to honor everyone who served in the armed forces.

While that’s nice, it is wrong. We honor all those who serve and have served our nation on Veterans Day.

Memorial Day is something completely different.

Memorial Day is set to honor those who “died” while serving in the armed forces.

“Died” while serving our country.

“Died” while protecting our freedom.

“Died” while you and I slept in our beds.

“Died” so we could celebrate.

“Died” so we could transition once again.

That is who Memorial Day is for, those who gave us everything they had, even their lives.

____ ____ ____

As many of you know, I have a special place in my heart for everyone who serves our country. I try my best to honor them every day, and do whatever I can to support them.

My morning usually begins with a routine. It’s the same one I have had for 20+ years, and I don’t anticipate much to change in the years ahead. I love to start the day right. I see my wife and kids, enjoy coffee with my dog Eddie, read 3 or 4 newspapers (on-line), and take a deep breath before I eagerly go to work.

I read a lot every morning and enjoy it. From the British and European papers to the Southeast Asian news, it’s fascinating to know the world was awake last night.

I love my morning reading, but there is one thing I always hesitate to take in: the KIA Report.

Every morning I receive a notice from the 1st and 3rd US Army Ranger Battalions, 75th Regiment. They are kind enough to share with me their victories, defeats, and most honorably of all, their transitions.

It usually looks something like this:

This is Ryan. He was 21 years old, a US Army Ranger and a hero, when he died for us.

http://www.leadthewayfund.org/2010/08/cpl-ryan-c-mcghee/

This is Jimmy. He was 26 years old, a Duke graduate, and had a promising career ahead of him on Wall Street when he decided to serve. He died for us.

http://www.leadthewayfund.org/sgt-james-j-regan/

 

 

____ ____ ____

The list goes on and on, any every name is just as important as the last.

How long is the list?

Since the beginning of our nation, as of today, over 1,300,000 men and women have died in combat serving and saving our country.

Do you know what they all have in common with Ryan and Jimmy?

Each and every one of them died so that you might live.

Each and every one of them died so that we could celebrate.

Each and every one of them died so we could continue on, one transition after another.

Like Ryan and Jimmy, each and every one of them deserve Memorial Day.

____ ____ ____

For the US Army Rangers and those who lost love ones serving our country, everyday is Memorial Day.

At the Ranger Memorial in Savannah, Georgia, the following words from Abraham Lincoln are inscribed at the entrance:

“That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Just below the list of the fallen, this is inscribed for all to see:

Greater love has man than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

So...

Next Monday, when the sun and fun of the celebration is here, please enjoy every second of it.

Next Monday, when the kids are playing and you welcome the transition of another season, please enjoy every second of it.

Next Monday, when you are with your family, friends, and neighbors, please enjoy every second of it.

Enjoy every second, because that is what Ryan, Jimmy and the millions who went before them would want you to do.

That’s why they did it.

That’s why they gave their all.

They did it for you.

Here’s all I ask that you do.

Next Monday, pause when you have a moment of peace, lift up a glass of thanksgiving and say a simple toast. Something like this:

“Here’s to Ryan, Jimmy, and the million plus who came before them, and here’s to the millions more who will gladly lay down their future lives for us all. Whether we know you or not, now and forever more, we are your friends.”

Honor them with your thoughts.

Honor them with your lives.

Honor them with your joy.

Honor them with your transitions.

 ____ ____ ____

A special thank you to my friends at 1/75 RLTW.

 If you would like to learn more or give, please consider the Sua Sponte Foundation.

For more information go to:

http://suaspontefoundation.org/

-DB