On this Memorial Day

I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend. We didn't make it to any festivities since it was rainy here, but we are thankful for those who have served, are serving and will serve our country. The freedom we have is so easily taken for granted and those who fight for it are so easily forgotten. I love that we celebrate Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. They should come more than once a year. These people deserve recognition.

Several weeks ago, Bill Madden, a WWII vet and survivor of the Iwo Jima invasion who now lives in South Bend, was speaking and reciting a poem he had written about the front lines on Iwo Jima. We decided to take the girls and listen to what he has to say.

Here is a link to an article by Ray Elliott from Memorial Day 2005 that discusses Mr. Madden and includes the full text of his poem, "Iwo Jima."

Men and women like Mr. Madden are a piece of living history and their generation will soon be gone. I'm glad we went and took this photo with him. Maybe one day the girls will think this picture is pretty neat. I hope they at least appreciate the historical significance of those who risked their lives to ensure our safety and freedom!