WHAT MEMORIAL DAY MEANS TO ME

Memorial Day is now a three-day holiday. Many of us think of it as a holiday without much thought to why we have set aside this day as a holiday. Memorial Day is personal to me and should be for most Americans. Here is my example.
My father, Vay Barney, served in the Pacific in World War II as a Marine. He volunteered for service after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He served for nearly 5 years in Guadalcanal, Saipan, and Tarawa. He was shot in the back three times and still has huge scars. He was hit with shrapnel in the face and still has trouble with his eyes. He said the worst part of the fight with the Japanese was on Tarawa. The Japanese had control of the island and the marines were in trenches trying to make it a few inches forward each day. They used their helmets as their toilet and ate what rations they could get. It was weeks before they took the island. The Japanese would act like they were surrendering and then throw their grenade at the soldiers. Japanese never took prisoners, but they did torture. Each soldier was given a pill to take to take their own life if they were captured. Each soldier had morphine on his belt to help a comrade. Sixty five years later, he still remembers the soldiers who were by his side and each of their names. These memories never leave him. He is my hero. He never wanted sons so they didn't have to go to war. Just recently he showed me his medals, two purple hearts, two bronze stars, and more. He has never shown us before. He doesn't want praise. He just wants us to remember and honor the heroes who died for us.
For those Americans who have lost a son, daughter, relative, or friend serving in our armed forces, it is still a time to recall the memory of those who died in the defense of our country. For those who are fortunate not to have lived through such a loss, I hope they will take some time from shopping or swimming to recall the sacrifice others have made to allow those of us who have followed them to enjoy our freedom and prosperity.