My Hero

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who have passed while serving this great country of ours. They sacrificed and paid the ultimate price by giving their life to protect ours and our freedom. No matter what branch, which war, or length of service – this is their day.

Many of us will spend the long holiday weekend by sleeping in, doing household chores, maybe attending or even participating in a parade. Some will uncover the grill and have the first of many backyard barbecues; some may head up north for a quick getaway, if the price of gas doesn’t put a damper on the weekend travel.

For me, I will spend the weekend with my family: my husband will grill something – unfortunately, it will be a costly cut of beef that will resemble a small shoe or hockey puck when he’s finished. My daughter Emma will ride her scooter throughout the neighborhood and will probably bake us a treat in her Easy Bake Oven, while my oldest son, Evan, will work on his pick-up truck, if he can tear himself away from texting or Facebook updates; and, my youngest son Eric, will play outdoors with our dog Sophie, trying to teach her some crazy trick or assist her by scoping out the squirrels so she can bark incessantly at them. Regardless of what we do or what we eat, I will certainly enjoy spending time with them.

I will also spend time this weekend remembering one of my heroes, as this Memorial Day weekend marks the second anniversary of my father’s passing. A Vietnam veteran who served in the Air Force, my dad was extremely proud to have served his country, and he honored and respected the true meaning of Memorial Day. He’s always been my hero, but not so much for battling in a war on foreign ground, but for his love of family, work and life; for the way he was always there for me, and for the bravery and strength I witnessed as he battled against cancer. As with every day, I will remember his warm eyes; the scratch of his beard on my cheek as we hugged; his ability to always make me smile; his laugh; his pride of this country.

However you spend your weekend – at a parade, grilling a Porterhouse steak to perfection, up north on the lake, or just hanging around the house with your family – please take a moment to remember, and honor, a hero.

Michelle Gaisser - Manager, Special Events In honor of Sgt. Michael F. Gaisser, 820th CES Red Horse (PACAF) Tuy Hoa AB