Hundreds of small crosses line the walkway leading to the Chapel at Ft Snelling. They announce the price of freedom from a five state area. They were placed there on Saturday and will remain until five tonight, Memorial Day. It is always sobering when I see a wall of names or rows of headstones or crosses.
Dave and I were there at this beautiful Chapel for the first time on Sunday for the special service for the Gold Star families. Rev Beale has a powerful way of speaking. I'm not used to being in a service in which the audience response is audible, but his manner called for it.
His message simply put, 'With burdens come many blessings.' Our day is filled with many burdens, some small and some large, but with that we need to see the blessings of the day too. That can sometimes be the difficult part. Because of this, we need to live day to day, not worrying about what may come tomorrow.
I can think of no family that knows and lives this concept more than a Gold Star family. Our burden was to sacrifice our children for the greater good, our freedoms. The right of religion, freedom of speech, the pursuit of happiness will endure because of our brave men and woman who knew the risks and signed on to protect and defend them. Because I view this as a public death, I find great responsibility in it too. I sometimes feel I represent many. Veterans, Military, Gold Star and most importantly, Curtis who can no longer speak for himself.
With this burden came many blessings in the people we have met and are fortunate to call friends. I've experienced things that would have never come my way without this loss. Unexpected blessings happen when you are forced to live day to day. Without all my days planned to the minute, I can accept them.
Today is a day to remember the burdens of our freedom. Take time, if only a moment, to reflect on the price. Don't feel guilty you are enjoying a barbecue with friends and family. I will be doing the same, that is the blessing of freedom.
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