On the route I run for my short runs, I run alongside a really nice neighborhood park. On one side of the park there is a memorial stone for Corporal Joshua Daniel Pickard of the United States Marine Corps. Whenever I run past this memorial, for a moment everything in life is put in perspective. I have recently developed the habit of saluting the memorial when I run past it. I was not in the military, something I regret and probably always will regret. Both my grandfathers served, my father served, and I feel that I should have. I have a great reverence for those who serve this country and Pickard gave everything he had for it.
I didn't consciously salute the memorial the first time I passed it, it just sort of happened without thinking. Seeing that memorial really makes me think of all the sacrifices other have made that make it possible for me to be where I am in life. The freedoms I enjoy, the freedom to get in shape, run where and when I want, run in organized races, to learn to fly, all of those are due in no small part to the people like Pickard and like my father and grandfathers who put their lives on the line to defend the freedoms of this great country.
I don't know the Pickard family, nor did I know Joshua, but when I run past that memorial every little problem in my life fades away and I am just thankful that I can do what I am doing now.
Life is good, thank you Corporal Pickard. Thank you Dad. Thank you Grandpa.
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One of the most moving things I ever experienced was being in an airport in October 2001, only a matter of weeks after 9/11. There was a small group of soldiers who were waiting to get on flights and were dressed in uniform. As they walked through the airport, people spontaneously stopped what they were doing and applauded as the soldiers walked through the terminal. It started with a few people and grew and eventually everyone had stopped what they were doing, realized what was happening and joined in. A number of people started crying, but I don't think it was a sad emotion but one of pride and honor for our country and for the sacrifice that these men (and women) were about to make. It was mid October; everyone knew these soldiers would not be home in time for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas--this year and probably not the following year, if at all. Ever since then, especially when I'm in an airport (usually the only time I see soldiers in uniform) I have wanted to say a simple "thank you for your service" to them. I did it a couple times, but haven't the last time or two I've travelled. I don't know why, I guess I felt like it was a bit corny or something. But now that I am a father, I think I will start that again and set a good example. I don't have to sing Glory Glory Hallejuah or anything, but a simple "Thank you for your service" would probably be the least I could do and, if I was in uniform, I think I would be very touched and grateful to know that people were in fact grateful for what I was sacrificing. I think they know we are, but it would be nice for us to tell them directly more than once every 10-20 years when we have parades.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post today. Gratitude really does put things in perspective, and hearing others share their gratitude is good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi
~Cat