"Remember me. I was a warrior.
But also remember:
That I was not only a warrior.
I was not just a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine.
Remember also: that I was a son, a brother, a father.
I was a daughter, a sister, a mother.
I was a person – like you – a real person with hopes and dreams for the future.
I wanted to have children.
I wanted to watch my children grow up.
I wanted to see my son score a touchdown or shoot the winning basket.
I wanted to walk my daughter down the aisle.
I wanted to kiss my wife again.
I wanted to grow old with her – and be there to hold her hand when life grew hard.
When I told her I would be with her until the end – I meant it.
When I told my children I would always be there for them – I meant it.
But I gave all that away.
All of it.
On that distant battlefield, on some god-forsaken patch of dirt, amongst the fear and the fire and the bullets.
Or in the sky above enemy territory filled with flak.
Or on the unforgiving sea where we fought against the enemy and against the depths of the abyss.
There, in those awful places: I held the line.
I did not waiver and I did not hesitate.
I: The Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine.
I stood my ground and sacrificed my life – my future, my hopes, my dreams.
I sacrificed everything – for you.
This Memorial Day, remember me: the fallen warrior.
And remember me not for my sake – but for yours.
Remember what I sacrificed so you can truly appreciate the incredible treasures you have: Life. Liberty. The pursuit of happiness.
You have the joys of life, the joys that I gave up, so that you can relish in them:
A cool wind in the air.
The gentle spring grass on your bare feet.
The warm summer sun on your face.
Family. Friends. And freedom.
Never forget where it all came from.
It came from sacrifice: The supreme sacrifice.
Don’t waste it. Don’t waste any of your time on this earth.
Live a life that honors the sacrifice of our fallen heroes.
Remember them always. And make every day... Memorial Day."
-Jocko Willink
Virtūs et Honos: Strength and Honor
This is something that I have on my lifting belt, it means Strength and Honor. For me, this means that I honor my brothers in combat both who stood by my side and who are no longer with us. Strength because to me it takes a strong person to sacrifice their life for others and I hope that I can in some way maintain that strength through my actions and my integrity.
Today is always a rougher day for me because as I reflect on the ones who are no longer with us, it brings me great pride to have known them but also a tremendous amount of sadness because I know they would be doing some amazing things far greater than anything I could ever wish to achieve if they were still around.
This is a day to remember their sacrifice, celebrate their live's, and to never forget that we are free because of the brave men and women who have risked everything to bring us that freedom and safety.
Rest Easy Friends
Bixler
Parker
Kade
Celestein
