Ryan and Christy's Place

Though I wasn't able to get to the computer and write about Memorial Day until now, the 11th hour of the day, I have been thinking all day long about our servicemen and women, and those who have lost their lives.

I couldn't get a picture of a little girl out of my head all day. It was a picture that ran in the newspaper of a family of a 278th soldier killed. Our military men and women sacrifice so much, and so do their families. Today I've felt sad because my feelings of missing Ryan have become more acute, and also because I was thinking about that little girl, specifically, missing her father. I hope all the families of those killed got through today relatively OK. Every day is truly a battle in itself.

Thanks to our veterans, and current soldiers, and those that lost their lives. You will never be forgotten -- especially by military families, but also others -- whenever we look at the flag, or amongst ourselves, or see others in uniform. Today isn't the "unofficial start of summer," but a day we can remember those who put their lives down for us, the American people -- and we can also be inspired by them.

I read such a great quote the other day, spoken by a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. It was: "Memorial Day is more than a remembrance to the fallen -- it is an inspiration to us all."

-- Christy

A few new pictures are in the In Iraq -- May 05 gallery