Freedom? It's a Privilege and Not Necessarily a Right

Memorial Day Weekend is here. For many people it's the beginning of barbeque season, for some it's the beginning of the warm months and many like to party and watch the Indy 500. The Summer Solstice arrives on June 20th and the Autumn Equinox is September 20th. Here in the Deep South our daytime temperatures are in the 90s by now and thunderstorms can blow up at any time. So, we unofficially celebrate the beginning of the warm months the last Monday in May. A good time should be had by all.

The are many legends around the concept of Memorial Day. This is a holiday so important to each and every American. We raise our glasses and prayers to those fallen in battle who have helped preserve our privileges of freedom and the American way. I like the story that has several women that were widows of the Confederacy decorating graves at Shiloh for fallen soldiers back in 1866. After a wagon trip from Georgia they put flowers on Yankee graves too. This was the first Memorial Day. It was called Decoration Day back in that era. There are other tales about the origin, but this one suits me. It has southern character. No doubt, these grieving women would certainly have decorated the graves of both sides. They honored all who perished in this travesty.

If this rain ever lets up the beach house is due for pressure washing, the garage needs painting, the yard needs mowing, the house is being cleaned and my lardbutt will be exhausted if my complete list of tasks is accomplished. The hammock is a major chore and has to be repaired or replaced. Ahhhh, living at the beach house. It's grand. I might even pitch battle with the smelly growling thing that lives in the southwest corner of the garage.

Celebrate our fallen comrades in arms this weekend and be careful. Traffic volume will be off due to gas prices, but the crazies will still hit the road. That's a fact. So drive defensively. Spend time with family and help your children understand the significance of this great holiday. If you see someone in uniform tell them how proud it makes you that they are in the service and protecting our liberty. God bless our troops and God bless America.

For God's sake, please don't act like a horse's ass and get behind the wheel while drinking intoxicating beverages. You will be dealt with harshly. Rightfully so. Our Saltillo PD will be enforcing the law and our firefighters will be diligent in protecting you. I wish they could take off from work too. But they will be busy protecting us from dumb stuff like DUI and out of control grill fires. It makes me feel safe and secure they are on the job. Hats off guys. Glad you're here to keep the drunks off the streets plus all the other tasks you perform. God bless you and God bless our firefighters. Chief Steve and Chief Rob do a fantastic job. So do the rest of the women and men in these jobs of civil service.

"And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me."
~Lee Greenwood