Not long after Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Kirven was killed in an insurgent ambush in Afghanistan on Mother's Day in 2005, his family was contacted by a stranger. Could an artist halfway across the country paint his portrait as a gift for his loved ones?" I immediately wrote back and said I'm so interested," recalled Beth Belle, Kirven's mother. She sent a few photographs of her son and several weeks later, when the painting arrived at her Fairfax, Virginia, home, Belle said she and her husband were in awe.
On a day where most of our nation is barbecuing, drinking, and swimming in the pool, how many actually remembered the reason for the holiday. This artist, Kaziah Hancock, has been remembering the fallen for several years now. She has also been helping the families of the fallen remember their heroes. Every Memorial day we should take the time to do something to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
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This may not have much to do with the article above but I just got home from vacation. On my way to New York via the Atlanta Airport I was on a 4 hour layover. I was miserable the whole time. Thinking about the time I had to wait to get on my connection was so annoying to me. Then I started to see all the soldiers walking through the airport. Army, Navy, Airforce and some Marines. All of the sudden I felt so selfish. I was complaining about having to be in an airport for 4 hours. Some of these folks were probably so happy about being in an airport. Because their next stop, in more cases than some, was home. Even if it was just a 48, (my ex-stepbrothers were both Marines) you could tell they were happy. Every person I saw with camo had a smile on their face. All I wanted to do was to go up to one of them, and there were plenty, to say "Thank You". Something inside me said, "leave them be". My grandfather flew in WWII. I appreciate everything that the Armed Forces do for us. Freedom isn't free. Someone gave their life for all of us. I'll always remember that and appreciate it. For whoever reads this, army or family...Thank You for my freedom.
