Memorial Day came and I was once again reminded of the many and diverse men and women who have given their all for my freedom. The ones who died for me might not have approved my way of doing things, might have been a different nationality; and many of them would have been from north of here. They didn't pick and choose, they gave freely so their family and mine could be free to live in this great country.
I appreciate being an American and I appreciate it when others state they are American. I don't particularly like the sound of adding another nation's name or place in front of American. You know what I mean, like Icelandic American. I suppose you can do that and be politically correct, but you should think about it for a long time before doing it.
We could all hyphenate our surnames, use our nationality to define ourselves a little more, as if the tattoos and piercing aren't enough. You might be Bob Oklahoma-Smith or Virginia South Dakota-O'Brian. That would be another defining marker. I wonder who would care; not the folks in Louisiana, they know you don't come from there by your brogue. Not many others, either. My point is that a person defending your freedom only cares that you are an American; no other name is necessary.
My free family gathered together and ate again. We had fried chicken, tater salad, baked beans and lots of pie. I must have consumed about a gallon of iced tea during the day and evening. Cemetery decorations had been done early and many of our friends and neighbors came by for a visit. I sure do enjoy having friends stop in for a glass of tea and a story or two!
The Grands brought friends and played cow pasture baseball between showers and ate all they could during the showers! Some friends of friends showed up and we met young folks we assumed were still in grade school. We remember when their folks married, seems like just a year or so ago and now the kids are legally driving. It is a real treat to have young folks in the family. We might just turn stale without them around to stir the pot!
Farming activities are full blown at this time. Hay does not dry when it is sprinkled on several times a day, I am still looking for a dump truck, my close relative carries her pellet gun around the garden and yard like a security guard and old Dog is glad he has a new tick collar.
The offspring are finally old enough to not horse around on the equipment and they do get things done without me prodding them along. I think I might semi-retire!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, knowing your life is good is important. It doesn't matter if you have much or not, you can still work on bettering yourself if you are breathing. Giving up is not an option, I saw too many veterans walking on steel legs and celebrating life this Memorial Day to feel sorry for myself or most others. Living in a pit might not be your choice or it might be if you give up! Keep on going up, keep on trying, and thank God you are an American!
Bill is the pen name used by a local writer and longtime resident of the Gravette area. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 06/04/2014