Peace. What a concept. And yet growing up I can remember my dad being my hero. Seeing him come home in his uniform. Watching him bring out those Time-Life books and see how his eyes would light up when he showed me those pictures of gore. Hearing talk about the Korean War through his actual experiences and how it was different for him during the time he spent in the Viet Nam war. How he went into the Army when he was 17 after his mother signed for him so he could enlist. Then thinking back how growing up was like being in basic training. Picking up and leaving for a new place to live every time he was transferred to a different base. And learning how to do the same when I lived with my mom since my step dad later was regular Army, too. Watching mom when my dad and step dad would get together while they shared their stories of war. Seeing how my step dad looked in his uniform. And how they met in Playcoo, Vietnam. Listening to mom talk about how it was to be an Army wife and the inspections she endured because it seemed like we lived on bases for a long time. Later remembering how much fun my grandmother and me had cutting up his uniforms to make quilts. Today, I called my older sister who has the same dad and mom as me to remember what it was like growing up from pillar to post like a yoyo between the two. She is my hero for she like me remember what it was like growing up in basic training. After the call I made to her she told me that she loved me and I told her the same. It was very peaceful.

Today, was set aside NOT to count your personal blessings. Today, in the USA, this day was a day set aside to honor all those who died protecting this country.

But no one EVER told us how to do this. Some mount flags on their property and fly them full and some at half mast. Some take flowers to the grave sites of loved ones and some visit the National cemetaries.

One thing we know, is that many of us are here because of some of those men and women who protected our country and others as well.

What would they want us to do, how would they want us to act today?

Those men and women fought for an ideal. They believed this country had something to offer the world but what do we offer today?

A WAR, MORE CASUALTIES! A day of going to church and counting your blessings praying for those men and women you have sent who will come back in boxes. And the tradition of memmorial day will have no lack of reasons to continue.

Today, instead of counting your blessing - think how you can share them.

There are no less than 30 wars and armed conflicts in the world at this moment. WE are a big part of some these, we could spend time reviewing WHY?

Then ask yourself why are you so blessed by circumstance while others are the innocent that suffer the horrors of these conflicts.

WHAT CAN YOU DO to honor the memory of those who died in the conflicts of fear and hate and greed?

Try figuring out how what you can do to promote peace, to support where it's needed and in the form that will best serve the propects of peace.

You have not asked with any greater exhuberance or in any greater faith for the blessing you have than any other who is suffering in this world.

Yes. And the glamour has definately improved from the old News Reels in black and white. Coverage can instaneous. I am surprised they don't have a war channel.

Thank-you your reading this post.

About our children - when I was young I was told that our parents should be our heros. It's odd how time changes that idea and pretty soon our children become our heros.

That made me realize - that to SOMEONE, we too are heros.

We have a lot to live up to, don't we?

Even the war in Iraq doesn't dominate the news in the way that I feel it should. I never understood those who didn't want the coffins coming off the planes to be shown. That is always the end result of war. Vibrant young people's lives are ended.

Rainbow, you have the best stories. Your sister is your hero because she validates you - how awesome is that? Isn't that what we all look for, validation?

Thanks-everyone again, for listening to my political agenda stuff. Just my thoughts - thoughts I share becasue I can't understand why others rarely say them and those that do are give h ell to pay.

Good evening all!

Rainbow, you have the best stories. Your sister is your hero because she validates you - how awesome is that? Isn't that what we all look for, validation?

That is almost eerie, Diane. That was what our phone conversation was about. I had some deep seated resentments about my mom and dad divorcing before I was three. It shocked when I told my sister about them and she agreed. It was like I took a chance sharing them with her and she agreed with me. I love my half and step siblings dearly don't get me wrong but she and I share the same mother and father. When mom and dad both remarried we became closer.