Happy Memorial Day

I can’t believe it’s Memorial Day already. Things are pretty quiet in my neighborhood, but I imagine it will be pretty lively later with student partying.
However, as Glenn Reynolds reminds, today is “not all about picnics and beer.”
What it is (as many of us tend to forget), is “a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.”
On Memorial Day, it’s especially important to remember who America’s real heroes are, because in the normal course of things, it’s the show business people who tend to be immortalized. As Jeff Emanuel asks in a great PJM piece, “our culture immortalizes show-biz celebrities — shouldn’t we know the names and hear the stories of our nation’s true heroes?”
Specifically, Jeff Emanuel remembers Danny Dietz, Jason Dunham, Ross McGinnis, Jason Cunningham:

a selection of four exceptional warrior — one from each branch of service — whose names and deeds every American should know. These stories alone do not even begin to break the surface of the reservoir of deeds those fighting for our nation have carried out. However, each of these men is a true hero in every sense of the word, having fought in defense of America and having made the ultimate sacrifice for his mission and for his fellow men.

Read it all — especially if you’re looking for a worthwhile Memorial Day read.
Make note of his conclusion:

On this Memorial Day, take a moment to thank a friend, family member, or even a total stranger who has served — or is serving — this country. For though they will never seek the praise and thanks of their fellow man, all will appreciate the expression of gratitude.
It is our solemn duty to honor those who have kept us safe and free for the past 232-plus years. America has stood strong all this time largely because of men like these. And it is because of men like them that it shall remain so.

I never served, and although my father served in World War II and my grandfather in World War I, they’re dead, and while the purpose of today is to remember them, I really can’t thank them.
However, I can take time out from the food and beer to thank my co-blogger M. Simon (a Navy veteran) for his service. (Yes, I realize that thanking living veterans is not technically the true purpose of Memorial Day… But then, neither is pigging out and drinking beer!)
So, enjoy Memorial Day.
But please remember.