I’m a pacifist at heart.  I don’t comprehend killing and violence as a means to an end but I also understand the realities of the world we live in. The deep-rooted history of battle dates back thousands of years with mankind and while I pray for a day where civility can move mountains and keep us safe, not guns, bombs, missiles and the like, I know this is but a pipe dream at the moment. That said, I am, and I’ve always been deeply humbled and grateful for those men, women, and animals in the armed services who sacrifice their own lives to ensure the bounties and freedoms of our way of life.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on these people and animals who gave so selflessly for us. In the case of animals, they were innocent casualties of war, certainly not understanding the implications of their role and my heart goes out to them all.

I also think it’s a time to reflect and give thanks to those individuals who stood behind the fallen because they are heroes as well. People are generally not an island when they become part of the armed services – they are someone’s father, or son, or granddaughter, or friend, or partner, or co-worker, or mother, and so on. Sacrifices are made on so many levels and I feel it’s important we acknowledge that as well.

Men, women, bats, cats, dogs, dolphins, sea lions, horses, pigeons, pigs, rats and more – these are but some of those that served on our behalf and I offer blessings to you all. And to all those in my family that served over the years, blessings to you. None of you were killed in the line of duty and you are long gone, but I still appreciate and respect your memories and your commitment to protecting life as we know it.

It’s also ironic; I never set out for a military life, far from it. But I’ve had a military career. Since 1995 in one capacity or another, I’ve worked for companies that protect our troops and law enforcement officials. It started when I began working for a body armor manufacturing company to today, where I work for a company that manufacturers critical items to keep military vehicles out of harm’s way.