On Monday May 30, 2011 we celebrated Memorial Day by taking the kids to the Orem Cemetery to honor those who have given their lives fighting for our country. My kids don't have any immediate family serving in the military. I have cousins and extended family who have served and died in honor. I have many friends who are currently serving in the military and many who have served and survived. It is an amazing gift that those who serve in the military give to all of us. We have been volunteering with a non-profit charity group named Letters to Soldiers that sends packages for all those who are serving from UT. It has been a great experience for my children to learn that there are people out in the world whose lives are in danger, making our country the place where we can live free. Sometimes in the eyes of a child they take things for advantage. All the space they have to run and play, the toys they have, the fun places they get to go, and all the other blessed things that we enjoy in our FREE country. So it is time to start a tradition and teach my children to honor and respect those who give their lives for each of us. The weather wasn't great. It snowed the night before, it rained and hailed during the ceremony, and was about 32 degrees. The 21 Gun salute scared the kids, and they couldn't believe how loud it really was. There are about 2800 veterans now in the cemetery and it was inspiring to see their names on the flags placed in remembrance. The featured speaker was MAJ USAF (RET) Wilbur A. Drake. He was a pilot and told stories of what he went through. Also I was able to chat with a survivor of Iwo Jima, and 3 who survived Pearl Harbor from the Arizona. Abby was captivated by the stories they told of the fighting, and the fight to survive. We watched as the flags were all replaced and learned what area of the military each flag represented. We wish to thank all of you that have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. We love and respect you for giving us freedom, and the ability to worship who we want and enjoy the freedoms that we have. There is nothing more important in life than GOD, Family, and country. The third verse of the song America the Beautiful says: "Oh, beautiful for HEROES proved in liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And ev'ry gain divine." Thank-you from all of us, and may your families always know that we honor them too.