Today as we celebrate Memorial Day, honoring all of our brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day so we can continue to enjoy our daily freedoms, we remember that these people are everyday people who live in your neighborhood.   These are the people you see at the police station, corner store, or in an executive’s office.   These brave men and women are your father or my mother.   These people are our real American heroes.

My Dad died three years ago from an unexpected heart attack. It was sudden and it turned our lives upside down.  Think about the call you get when your father or loved one is overseas, and the news isn’t good.  Many of these dads are not given the chance to see their kids grow up.  They are busy admirably putting their lives on the line so we can enjoy the daily freedoms that some of us take for granted.

Remember in your thoughts and prayers today many families you have lost someone in the military today.  There are a lot of young dads out there you will never get the chance to see tomorrow becuase they believed in someting much greater than themselves.  When you are enjoying your barbeque and having a good time in the pool with family and friends take a minute to honor all of your fallen dads and moms who won’t have a chance to attend the next family barbeque.

My Dad never personally served in the Armed Forces.  But he always had such a deep respect for those who did.  It is easy to understand why.  My future father-in-law did serve in the Armed Forces in the Marine Corps.  Marines are about as tough as they come and he fought in Vietnam.  As I visited with him yesterday, he had a USMC figurine he painted and was going to put in the landscape as a symbol of pride from the many years of fighting vailantly for this country.  I think it is important for people to have visual reminders of our veterans.  They should be and continue to be honored for the heroes they are.  An everyday hero…

Always a friend to listen,

Eric Tomei-author I Miss My Dad