Here we are again. The end of May. Race weekend in Charlotte, Indy, short tracks around the country. Cookouts, boating, beach trips, mountain trips, just "trips" period. A free day off work for most. Family time. Family reunions. You get the picture. It is Memorial Day weekend. MEMORIAL DAY!

I have no doubt that a majority of the people who are reading this on Racers Reunion know exactly what Memorial Day means, although some may be too young to remember it was first known as Decoration Day when it started in 1868 as a means of honoring Civil War heroes. Graves were decorated in honor. There some who will read this, however, who think of the holiday weekend as their "free" time. Key word being "free".

The cliche is thrown around too much, almost, to be meaningful anymore, but I'll use it one more time; "freedom isn't free". Another cliche of which I am not particulary fond is "all gave some, some gave all". As staid and overused as those words are, this weekend they take on special meaning. This weekend is MEMORIAL DAY. This is the weekend we are supposed to remember exactly what freedom does costs. This is the weekend when Arlington National Cemetery, and cemeteries around the country, are decorated with American Flags as we remember those who truly "gave all" for our freedom. I heard today that our President will not participate in that ceremony Monday. This is not a political commentary but I find it extremely difficult to handle that The President of the United States can't take time to honor those who made his residency in The White House possible.

Also of concern is what I learned in my recent experiences with a young soldier from Fort Jackson completing basic training there. When the recruits were given their weekend passes, it was strongly suggested that civilian clothes be worn into Columbia because there are some people here who do not appreciate the military and the fact that our country is at war. The very fact that those individuals could stage a small "protest" outside one of the gates to Fort Jackson was given to them by the young men and women who wear those uniforms. I guess the University didn't teach them THAT part of what it means to have freedom.

Remember last year during the 600 at Charlotte on Memorial Day when it came time for the moment of silence? The race was stopped and you could literally have heard a pin drop with 100,000 people there. Remember the Daytona 500 in 1991 (I think) just after the start of the first Gulf War. Suddenly, before the race, a hundred thousand fans were waving American Flags. Most, and I stress "most" race fans and teams will stand at attention for the National Anthem. I always notice that. Check out the National Anthem at MLB or NFL events. The difference is as day is to night. Not saying that race fans are more patriotic, but you figure it out.

So, when you're lying on the beach this holiday weekend, take a minute to think about those men lying on the beaches in France on June 6, 1944. If you're hiking the mountains, think of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima that day in 1945 when the flag was raised there. If you're stuffing yourself on Bar-be-que, think of those men in the Bataan Death March or the death camps all over Germany during the 1940s. Those guys paid the price for our freedom to celebrate the holiday and men and women of our armed forces continue to pay that price even today. They are Americans, that's what they do, to steal a phrase from Oliver North's speech.

It's Memorial Day folks. Let us never forget those throughout history who have given us this great country and all our freedoms. When you see a young man or woman wearing the uniform of one of our branches of service, thank them. While you're thanking them, remember there are those under those white crosses or the Star of David you can only thank by ensuring the continuing freedom for which they died.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.

Tim