Memorial Day 2021

Leave it to a microscopic bug to help all of us more fully appreciate the sacrifices of the brave men and women we honor on Memorial Day!

While many see this three-day weekend as simply the unofficial start of summer, it represents much, much more…especially this year.

Across our country, millions of Americans are attending parades and decorating grave sites, remembering those who gave their lives as members of the United States military.  The sound of Taps will no doubt stir deep pride for some, especially family members whose surnames match those found on veteran headstones.

Hoplin Jackson salutes every.single.soldier who sacrificed his/her life for our freedoms. Our heartfelt prayers go out to their families. 

There is an old saying, “You don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone.” For all of the sadness and loss that accompanied the COVID pandemic (there was way too much!), it did come with a silver lining:  American citizens tasted life with less freedom and choice.  Three semesters worth.  It was a Civics 101 refresher that, hopefully, prompted a renewed appreciation of our freedoms and the soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect them.

As President Reagan warned in 1967:

Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.

As masks come off, as churches and synagogues fill up, as we start the summer reacquainting ourselves with favorite past times like dining out, back yard barbecues, sporting events, and family vacations … let’s remember those who gave their lives so we could enjoy all of these. 

One way to do that is to include one of our country’s many veteran organizations in your philanthropy.  For help identifying best in class nonprofits, please contact us.  We have written previously about one such organization here.

A final note:  Hoplin Jackson offers special thanks to first responders and health care professionals who, over the last year, frequently and selflessly put our safety above their own.  In protecting and caring for us, they put their own lives at risk.  Like the veterans we honor this weekend, we thank them for all they have done to protect our lives so that we could one day again enjoy our freedom.