By: Nate Murphy (@bigmurph23)
Maybe it is just me. Maybe it is solely my opinion on this matter, but this is not a Happy Holiday. I heard it at work the other day. As people were leaving the facility, saying their goodbyes for the long weekend. “Happy Holiday,” someone said. “Happy Holiday to you, too,” was the response. I shook my head. I couldn’t help it. No one saw me, no one questioned why I was shaking my head. But I did.
I was never in the military. Admittedly, probably never had what it took to be among the country’s elite defenders. But my father, my uncle, and my grandfather all served in the Navy. I am proud of that fact. And I am very fortunate that after their services, I could celebrate Veterans Day. Because they all made it home safely. That is a day to celebrate. Memorial Day…well, it is a little different now, isn’t it?
We all will spend our extra day off enjoying what we hope is nice weather. We will all have the grill fired up and enjoy barbecue with our families, our friends, or maybe the entire neighborhood or community. And that is amazing. That is okay. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t enjoy our freedom to do exactly this. But what I want every single one of us to do is stop, even for just one solid minute, sixty seconds out of our day, and bow your head, lift your drink, maybe actually salute a flag for those of you that is appropriate to do…and remember. Remember all of those for this day is actually for. Remember all of those who gave EVERYTHING so we could have a Monday off to barbecue and have a drink. This is their day. They aren’t here to celebrate. So we have to make sure that we remember and thank them, somehow, for their ultimate sacrifice.
Monday, May 26th, we will have our Military Appreciation game. Our own Army/Navy game. That game kicks off at 4:30 Central Time on Twitch. It is our way of saying thank you to our current and former military members who are in the CFSL. Our way of putting a spotlight on the men and women who DO have what it takes to be among our country’s elite defenders. It is a small gesture. But it is what we can do, and we love to do it.
Ryan Moreland and Justin Duke (who are both veterans) are in the booth to call this game for us. I am looking forward to hearing them not just call a football game, but talk about the men and women on the field in a way that transcends football. Goes beyond just our hobby in this league. And something that means so much more.
And while I will stand with every member in the league and say thank you to those of you in the CFSL that did serve or is currently serving, I will also make sure I pause and thank those that never got the chance to come home so I could have the chance to live my best, free life, every single day.
