Remembering… Tradition, Pride, Honor and Respect. Memorial Day 2015

half staffIt’s Memorial Day 2015.

I hope all of you have enjoyed a relaxed weekend full of friends and family.

Beyond that, I hope you also took the time to reflect and remember why you had that time. I hope you know this time wasn’t free…. it came at a cost… a GREAT cost.

Men and women of the armed forces paid for our freedom with their lives … today is the day we remember and THANK them for their sacrifice.

If you’re on duty and / or fly a flag at home, the station or your business, please remember to fly it half staff from sun up until noon today in honor of those brave men and women. You may also be interested to know that by law, we are all obligated to pause for a moment of silence at 3pm (15:00 hrs) today.

US Army 1st Lieutenant Chase Prasnicki.

US Army 1st Lieutenant Chase Prasnicki.

I spoke many times of how my family has a rich history of military (and civil) service.

Many of my uncles served and the Marine Corp was my only focus as a teenager.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the Corp but many other members of my family would grow to serve. Several are still serving and I couldn’t be more proud of our history.

Today, it’s a cousin who’s at the front of my mind. United States Army 1st Lieutenant Chase Prasnicki.

At just 24 years old, married for only 7 months and “in Country” (Afghanistan) for only 4 days, Chase was Killed In Action. Understandably, his death hit our family hard.

Click to read “Another Funeral”

What makes me even more proud of the sacrifice Chase made is the fact that his younger brother, Tyler Prasnicki; is now following in his foot steps! One of our local news channels followed the story in the video below…

How humbling is that?!? Yea… I’m proud to be a part of this family!

I’m proud to be a member of our family and I’m also PROUD to be an American. I’m proud because I understand what it took to get to where we are. I wrote about it briefly  yesterday in a post…. read that article in the link below but also watch the video from Baxter Black … I think he says it best!

Read “Proud to be an American”

So at 3pm today, take that moment of silence. Take that moment and reflect on the men, women and the families who gave it all for those of us who remain.

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines