Memorial Day to most people is the opening weekend of Summer but when was the last time you stopped to think of what the Holiday means?

My brother, a Corporal in the US Marine Corps ret., served our country bravely in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served two combat tours of duty and earned the Navy Commendation as well as two purple hearts for injuries sustained in roadside bomb blasts. I can never express the horror of the phone call you get when you learn your loved one has been injured overseas in a war. Luckily, my brother, came home to us in 2009 but many families are not so lucky.

So this weekend, when we all enjoy the extra day off and nice weather for a barbeque, stop and honor our fallen heroes and their families with a moment of silence, prayer or maybe a flag on a gravestone or memorial.

If you would like to honor our heroes more, you can help their families and our veterans who made it home:

www.operationhomefront.net

www.fallenheroesfund.org

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Thank you to our brave Veterans and to all those who have served.