do we really remember?

it's memorial day weekend.  this is a holiday that i really didn't get for most of my life.  there are all kinds of furniture sales and deals on cars.  the ads always are red, white, and blue and have catchy patriotic jingles under them.  store hours are different.  grocery stores are featuring all the fixings for a family picnic in the main walkways.  is this the way america really celebrates memorial day?

my two grandpas were both in world war two.  one was in the pacific and the other was in northern africa and italy.  all growing up, i don't think i ever heard their stories.  after my grandpa that was in the pacific had a stroke, i heard part of his story.  it makes me so sad that i never heard it from him.  it was a powerful story and made me look at him through different eyes.  my other grandpa has only talked about his experience once when i was around.  it was short and brief and had very little detail.  he talked of his travels and how he had to use different currencies.  he didn't talk about the battlefield...but you could see a distance in his eyes as it crossed his mind.  i know they served their country.  i know it was a big part of who they were/are, but it was something they were very quiet about.

isn't this closer to what this weekend is supposed to be about?  remembering and reflecting on the price that someone was and is willing to pay for what they believe in?  aren't we to remember all that have been willing to sacrifice, to make a stand for this country that we live in and all its' ideals?

i just don't think twenty-four months interest free on a new matress set does all those brave, selfless individuals justice.  they deserve far more.  let's not cheapen what they have and are willing to do.