I’ve always had a special appreciation for Memorial Day.  As a kid, of course it meant the end of school and the beginning of summer.  We would often have family cook-outs with my cousins, aunts, and uncles – the adults would enjoy a day of barbecuing and horseshoes, while the kids played in my uncles pool.

Later in a life, as a young man studying human behavior and as an adult practicing those principles to help people, Memorial Day took on new meaning.  I’ve engaged in training under the Center for Deployment Psychology and the Star Behavioral Health Program – I’ve been honored to put that training to work with quite a few veterans and active duty military over the years.  In that time, I’ve become a bit of a WWII buff, thanks to the series Band of Brothers, and dozens of related books.

All that to say, my life has been impacted by the stories and situations of veterans, active duty military, and their families.  I have found meaning in life through helping them, and I have developed an appreciation for the sacrifices and suffering they have endured, and the attitudes they have adopted towards it.

My reason for writing this is to maybe offer a pause in the traditional enjoyment of the unofficial start of summer, and to offer you an opportunity to be equally impacted by the meaning of this day.

“War brings out the worst and the best in people. Wars do not make men great, but they do bring out the greatness in good men. War is romantic only to those who are far away from the sounds and turmoil of battle. For those of us who served in Easy Company, and for those who served their country in other theaters, we came back as better men and women as a result of being in combat, and most would do it again if called upon. But each of us hoped that if we had learned anything from the experience it is that war is unreal, and we earnestly hoped that it would never happen again.”

“There is no need to tell someone how to do his job if you have properly trained your team”

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”

“I Treasure a remark to my grandson who asked, “Grandpa were you a hero in the war?”
Grandpa said, “No…. but I served in a company of heroes”.

“Lastly, ”Hang tough!” Never, ever give up regardless of the adversity. If you are a leader, a fellow who other fellows look to, you have to keep going.”

• Major Dick Winters, Commander, Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment  from Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters