Why we visit the cemetery on Memorial Day Weekend

My son Samuel and I went for a walk in the cemetery yesterday to pay our respects to the veterans who've died for our country. We walked around and read several of the headstones and discussed the wars, and what these men and women fought for.

Sam has a great deal of respect and reverence for these men and women. Last week there was an assembly at his school for the servicemen killed in Vietnam. When I asked Sam about it he said that he was one of the few students to take it seriously. I understand this - a war thousands of miles away that began over fifty years ago doesn't mean much to a bunch of fifth-graders. But I was proud of him for taking it seriously and being respectful throughout the ceremony.

I think it's important for kids (and adults) to pay their respects to those who died while serving our country. For many of us, Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the summer season and is filled with parties and cookouts, but we should also remember take a little time to remember these fallen men and women.

Now, before you start thinking I'm a gung-ho conservative, it should be known that I also feel that it's important to be able to express our freedom and love for our country in different ways. One of our rights, one that illustrates the freedom our military fights for, is the right to protest.

And I don't mean those idiots who use protesting as an excuse to basically riot, to burn and loot property and businesses. And certainly not those who disrespect our servicemen and women. I mean those who use non-violent protest to try to bring about change because they love America.

I'm talking about those who protest because they love this country and want to see it get better. Those who protest unfair political decisions. Those who feel disgusted every time they see a homeless combat vet, or a veteran (or any United States citizen) who can't get proper health care. Those who protest certain wars because they realize that most wars take place for financial reasons. Sometimes war is necessary, but often it isn't. Personally, I believe that any politician who declares war, or votes in favor of war, should have to fight in that war. Then we'll see how strongly they really feel about it.

Military personnel give their lives to protect the rights of our citizens. We may not agree with each other, but we should respect each other's rights. Respect each other's freedom to show our love for America in different ways. The men and women that we remember today died for that freedom.