Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day Weekend 2014

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."~ Ronald Reagan

Freedom is a special thing.  It does not mean being able to do what ever we want, but being free to do what is right, and that freedom is never free.  A terrible price has been paid for us to enjoy that freedom, and I fear we have become a nation unwilling keep up on our payments.

I spent Saturday at the range with my two younger sons.  The youngest used a 10/22 and a Buckmark pistol.  The older one and I used a Springfield Armory M1 Garand and a FNX45 pistol.  While trying to reload an en bloc clip, I though of those men during the Korean War doing the same task with the imminent threat of being overrun.   It gave me a new appreciation for detachable magazines and stripper clips.

The Garand came to me through a co-worker.  His brother had served as a Marine in the Korean War, and in the brother's words was a "gun nut".  He passed away in 1982 and all his firearms went to his brother (my co-worker) to keep in trust for his children.  The children are of age now, with children of their own, and have no interest in their father's firearms.  This seems sad to me.

Along with the rifle were several en bloc clips and a canvas pouch to hold two loaded clips.  The clips were loaded with blanks.  His brother had apparently been a part of an honor guard, rendering Military Funeral Honors.

So this Memorial Day, I did do some BBQ, but I also taught my children what the day is about, and why it was started.  To see and hear people wishing each other a "Happy Memorial Day," doesn't seem right.  To me, they just don't "get it."  To those that do "get it", please teach your children well.


PS.  The ribs were delicious.







1 comment:

  1. Hey, great post. I expected to see something about all the news and development on here. You and I are slipping. LOL. Ready to go round about another topic?

    ReplyDelete