MEMORIAL DAZE
At a time when people seem unwilling to empathize with the pain of others unless they have experienced it first hand, I cannot help but recognize that most of the activity I have seen this weekend surrounding the current ‘holiday’ has been talks and photos of amazing BBQ’s and family outings to the beach. While I am all for great food and family time, I just want to focus on remembering what today is really about.
We may not be able to enjoy time with our families and enjoy such great food if it were not for the brave men and women who sacrificed it all during combat to ensure our freedom to do the very things we often take for granted. On this Memorial Day try not to get caught up in the memorial daze of consumerism and cookouts without first taking a few moments to honor our fallen heroes.
Perhaps I speak with such conviction because today my family mourns the death of our hero, my cousin Sgt. Jose M. Velez. Jose took his last breath on June 9, 2006 in Kirkuk, Iraq due to injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. He left behind 2 children, a fiancé and stepson, parents, siblings, and many cousins who loved him dearly and were all devastated by his loss.
It is my hope that by sharing these vivid details with you it would cause you to empathize with those around you who may also be mourning the death of a loved one, and not be selfishly consumed by your festivities. My cousin may be a distant memory to many, but he lives on in the hearts of those who truly loved him, as do the other heroes who are not here to celebrate with us today. Say a prayer for the families of our fallen heroes today.
In Memory Of:
Sgt. Jose M. Velez Date of death: June 9, 2006 Kirkuk, Iraq
Lance Cpl. Giovani Cruz Date of death: July 4, 2010 Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
View published articles about the aforementioned heroes at the following links
Remember a fallen hero near and dear to your heart in the 'Comments' section below.