In Memorium

The Frog and I couldn't let Memorial Day pass without sharing this letter. It was written on Friday by a woman who lost her son in Iraq two years ago. She posted it to an online group of military moms.

As Memorial Day fast approaches, I am caught up in the emotions of celebrating all of our Marines and military, past, present and future for their service and sacrifice for the freedoms we are blessed with in this great nation of ours -- the United States of America. Freedom isn't free we learn; it has been bought and paid for with the blood of young men and women throughout the history of our country.

This is the second Memorial Day without my son Jesse. Some ask how we go on. It is by the Grace of God. I refuse to let my son be remembered by the grief his death caused his mother. Rather, I want him to be remembered for the love, joy and pride his short life gave to me and all who knew him and for his pride in being a Marine serving his country.

So, on this Memorial Day I honor my son and keep safe his memory and the memory of all who have given their lives in service to our country for the freedoms we are blessed with. God Bless America!

Amen. Today and always may God continue to bless Jesse's mom as well as the thousands of other mothers' sons and daughters who have picked up the fight since Jesse's call to duty on high.