Remember the True Meaning of Memorial Day

To say the obvious, we are in Memorial Day Weekend. This weekend, many people will be attending parties and cook outs as Memorial Day has become an unofficial kick off to summer. Like in many other holidays, the holiday is differed differently from where it was originally intended. Don't get me wrong. I'll be attending my fair share of parties and cook outs this weekend myself. I'm always in favor of good times. Eat, drink and be merry. At the same time I just want you to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day: how this holiday came to be.

The holiday first came to be after the American Civil War in tribute to the Union soldiers. It was expanded shortly after World War I to become the holiday that we know today. A holiday that memorializes those who died in military combat. A holiday that memorializes those who died for the freedoms that we enjoy today.

The number one thing that separates the United States from nations like Iran, Cuba and China is freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion. The right to protest against your government. Imagine an Iranian becoming a Catholic or an atheist. Imagine a Cuban protesting against Fidel Castro. Here, you can criticize Barack Obam'sa health plans or George W. Bush's policy on the Iraq War. Unlike Iran, Cuba or China, you don't have to worry about government thugs visiting you and throwing you in prison.

Like writing letters to the editor? Enjoy voting in elections? Like me, do you enjoy online blogging? If you do, you should be thankful to our veterans, past and present.. That's one of the reasons why I say this blog is "made possible by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Poets and Madmen would not be possible in many parts of the world.

Our forefathers fought against an oppressive British government who used police state like tactics to enforce their policies. They risked all was they fought for the freedoms that we enjoy today. In World War II, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis was storming across Europe as fear that a wave of oppression would engulf the world. Once again, our veterans responded and defeated the forces of evil. Even as recently as 9-11, you had a lot of people joining the military (including football star Pat Tillman) to fight terrorism.

So enjoy this Memorial Day weekend. I'll be joining you in some of the festivities this weekend. Just don't forget those who made the freedoms we enjoy possible. Poets and Madmen wishes everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

The Place on Ocean Boulevard

To him, love is like a two edge sword. To him, love, and the potential for new love gave him two different emotions. The excitement of someone possibly new in his life. Someone who might not be like the others. Someone who could be everything that he asked for, or close to it. Those feelings are tempered with other feelings, fear of getting hurt again. Fear the the next relationship will end with bitter taste if disappointment that he is so familiar with.

That Thursday, he wasn't looking for love. It wasn't on his mind. He was at his favorite place on Ocean Boulevard: the beach side lounge that he likes going to. He was sitting at the bar, when one of the most beautiful women that he's ever seen walked into the room. Their eyes met and it seems as if time stopped for a few moments. Her long brown hair blew in the ocean side wind. She sat next to him and they began a conversation that would end up lasting for months.

It was there and along the nearby ocean side where they would be spending much time. Talking for hours, walking along the beach, sips or beer and tequila at the bar, surfing the waves, making love in the dunes under the moonlight. It seemed as if everything was as close to perfect as it could get.

But like with the others before, things had to change. Like the summer season, she left. Out of his life. Now he is left with the same feeling if hurt and disappointment that he knows so well. Every time that he drives by that place he feels a pain. A pain and a hurt and memories of what used to be. The place on Ocean Boulevard.