Memorial Day is a time to remember those brave men and women who have lost their lives in military service.
It also happens to fall on the last Monday of May, which means that folks will be firing up the grill, pop a top on a couple cold cans, and celebrating with their family and friends.
And while there’s nothing wrong with having a barbecue this weekend, it’s important to take some time to remember why we’re here. To honor those men and women who gave their lives so we could spend the weekend grilling hot dogs and drinking cold beer.
And while social media is filled with pictures and words of remembrance today, nobody shared something quite as powerful as Chris Pratt.
Piggybacking off a post from MMA Fighter Tim Kennedy, the photos illustrate the true cost of keeping this country free. The pain and the heartache of the friends and family members that receive the call that their loved one isn’t coming home… a sobering reminder that freedom isn’t free.
Chris added some thoughts on the powerful series of photos:
“I saw these images on Tim Kennedy feed. Please, look at each one. Pause, give them your consideration.
America’s exceptional armed forces have altered the course of the world for the better. From the Union Army defeating slave owning confederates, to the Greatest Generation and her Allies vanquishing the Nazis or our special operators hunting down the perpetrators of 9/11.
We count the names of each fallen solider lest they be countless. They are the good guys. They run to the sound of gunfire. They know pain and suffering we never will. They have given us the most free and decent society planet earth has ever seen.
We run the risk of losing that decency when we fail to instill gratitude in the minds of our youth or the perspective of what it actually means to be free- should they never learn of the selfless sacrifice of our armed service members in the face of oppressive evil. So join me in showing support for our fallen. Take a quiet moment to really consider the sacrifice.
And if you use the comments section on posts like this to bitch and moan about America please understand there are countries in the world where criticizing your government will get you killed or imprisoned. Criticism is a right and necessity in amending the flawed systems of man. So by all means, let your voice be heard.
But never forget your right to free expression is paid for in blood. May God give their souls rest, and may they live in our memories this weekend and always.”
Here’s to those brave men and women who willingly laid down their lives… we could never thank you enough.
