Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have come at a great cost borne by many generations. This Memorial Day weekend, all of us at Spirit of America would like to express our deepest gratitude for those who have died in service to our nation and the ideals we hold so dear. We also thank the loved ones they left behind. The freedom and opportunity we enjoy today were built upon their sacrifices. Alex Horton, a veteran of the Iraq war, wrote these very powerful Memorial Day reflections. “Memorial Day is meant to remind folks of the sacrifice borne by those who fell in battle in defense of the country, as well as their families. But once you lose someone in combat, Memorial Day bleeds across the rest of the calendar …” “I hope civilians find more solace in Memorial Day than I do. Many seem to forget why it exists in the first place, and spend the time looking for good sales or drinking beers on the back porch. It’s a long weekend, not a period of personal reflection. At the same time, many incorrectly thank Vets or active duty folks for their service. While appreciated, it’s misdirected. That’s what Veterans Day is for. Instead, they should take some time and remember the spirit of the country and the dedication of those men and women who chose to pick up arms. They never came home to be thanked, and only their memory remains.” Read it all here. Very respectfully, The Spirit of America team