05/26/2026
Memorial Day felt different yesterday compared to any other I've experienced. Maybe it's because I started writing out my journal one year ago today and have continued writing my manuscript just like I was earlier this morning. But then I realized, I'm not writing this journal into a manuscript for me. I felt this powerful emotion overtake me as I was thinking about Memorial Day. Maybe the writing has continued to swirl memories inside my head, reliving and feeling them as if they were present tense; feeling a strong connection to my military brothers with whom I shared the battlefields.
Or maybe it was the long overdue phone call I had on Saturday with one of my best friends in the Army, Ryan Mcdermott. We talked for over two hours and what felt like was only 10 minutes. We talked about war stories, good, bad, and the ugly. We talked about our families and how they are doing. But also talked in depth about our own struggles moving past the war. We shared how different we felt when we left the service and entered back into the civilian world. And the amount of effort it has taken to feel connected to society again, today. Ryan is one of my blood brothers, and no matter how long we go without talking to each other, our sacred bond always glues a comfortable conversation, no matter how dark it may lead, we always end on a positive note with a couple of laughs.
Then we talked about the brothers we lost, and their traumatic stories that forever shifted their families, because of the ultimate sacrifice they gave. I was teary-eyed thinking about them. Thinking about how much life they missed out on, particularly with their families. So, I felt this strong urge to go to a Memorial Day Ceremony, but I wanted this one to be just me and my dog Mac. I wanted to clearly focus and think about the brothers I know that my unit lost. They are the reason I went. And they will always be the reason why I will continue to attend these ceremonies. They represent the ultimate sacrifice for our country and deserve every ounce of respect! May my brothers and sisters rest in peace, knowing the true definition of Duty, Honor, and Country!