Greetings, America – the land of the free and the home of the brave – has come at a great cost over many generations. From Lexington to Belleau Wood, Normandy to Wanat, some of our best and brightest have given their all. This Memorial Day weekend, all of us at Spirit of America would like to remember, and express our deep gratitude for, all those who have died in service to our nation and the ideals we hold so dear. The freedom that we, and many others in the world, enjoy today was made possible by their sacrifice. Every year, I revisit the Memorial Day reflections of Alex Horton. Alex is a veteran of the Iraq war. I encourage you to read it as well. “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, Jim Hake and the Spirit of America team