<h2>Remembering who made the first barbecue of the season possible.</h2>
The thought of officially kicking off the summer with a gathering of friends, food and cocktails has me pushing the week to end so I can start making potato salad and marinating steaks. The only thing that takes priority over writing out my grocery list is writing a check to the Veteran’s association I <a href="http://www.valorclinic.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">support</a>, and making sure I call the veteran’s in my life to express my gratitude.

<img class="alignright wp-image-6051" title="Memorial Day" src="https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/C0Ypt3AUUAAwGHf.jpg" alt="Memorial Day" width="299" height="200" />While all days off are to be celebrated, Memorial Day is one that deserves not just our enjoyment, but our respect, appreciation, and acknowledgement of what it stands for.

Perhaps you have a family member or friend, or both, who has served in the military. Some of you reading this may have a loved one actively stationed overseas, and spend countless hours waiting to hear from them and assure yourself they are safe. Perhaps you have a grandfather or uncle who served years ago and who passed before you knew them, or a relative who served our country but who won’t talk about their time in the armed forces.

Regardless, the people who literally devote their lives either entirely or for a period of time, and who put themselves in harm’s way to protect a nation of people, the overwhelming majority of whom they have never met, are heroes. In turn, we won’t meet 99.9% of the people who have served our country, and in turn us, yet we owe each of them our freedom and life as we know it.

Make a moment to reflect on why Memorial Day was created and how we can use the day as a reminder of our responsibility to honor, thank and support all those who have given so much, so freely and so selflessly. For more information on ways to support Veterans, both locally or nationally, go to:

<a href="http://www.valorclinic.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Valor Clinic Foundation</a>

<a href="http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hope for the Warriors</a>

<a href="https://www.wwfs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wounded Warriors Family Support</a>

<a href="http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Puppies Behind Bars</a>

<a href="http://www.thanksusa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thanks USA</a>

<a href="https://www.fisherhouse.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fisher House Foundation</a>

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-6054 size-full" title="On Memorial Day we support those who served our country the United States of America. Remembering who made all this possible." src="https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CaptureJFK.jpg" alt="Memorial Day" width="1331" height="634" />

<em>Tags: Memorial Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Memorial, Veteran, Veterans, USA, Support Our Troops, Support Our Veterans, United States, America, United States of America, Remember Those Who Made All This Possible</em>