Remembering

A friend's blog entry about Memorial Day left me with tears in my eyes.

On a trip to Europe while in high school, I visited the American Cemetery in Luxembourg. At the time, I was mainly impressed with the way all the headstones lined up and that Patton was buried there.

Now, just thinking about the cemetery brings tears to my eyes. I think of the young soldiers who gave their lives to protect my freedom. I think of the families who received a visit to their door or a telegram telling them they'd never see their son/husband/brother again. The bodies that lie below the headstones in Luxembourg were buried across the world from their homes.

20+ years ago, when I saw the symmetrical lines of the headstones, I was reminded of orchard plantings. Now whenever I see an orchard, I can't help but think of lines of crosses, each representing a fallen soldier. I try not to take their (and their families') sacrifices for granted. One day a year hardly seems enough to honor these heroes.