Proud to be an American

This past week my friends and I have been in Washington, D. C.

Tomorrow we are visiting the Vietnam Memorial, “The Wall.” I only know one person who died in Vietnam and each time I go to The Wall, I seek Larry’s name and put my hand on his name.

The last time I saw him was at our high school graduation, May 21, 1965. He was always smiling.

Next we will go to Arlington Cemetery. The Changing of the Guard ceremony is always on our list.

Hundreds of people stand perfectly quiet, all you hear is the guard tapping his heels and the action of his gun as he passes it to the next guard, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-six days this year.

Can anyone leave this place without being touched?

As we celebrate Memorial Day, let us all be aware of the sacrifices of our fallen heroes, their families and friends.

“I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.”