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Freedom Isn't Free - Memorial Day
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On May 25th, this nation will once again
celebrate Memorial Day. For many people, this
holiday represents a nice three-day weekend, a
first chance to work on that summer tan, or a
chance to shop for great deals. With all these
distractions, its easy to lose sight of the true
meaning of the holiday. Originally called
Decoration Day, soldiers would honor the graves
of their fallen comrades with flowers, flags, and
wreaths. The name was changed to Memorial Day in
the late 1800s, but wouldnt become an officially
recognized holiday until 1967. Most Americans
know of the major conflicts, WW I II, Civil
War, Vietnam, Korea, and the war on terror in
Iraq and Afghanistan. However, soldiers, sailors,
and aviators have made the ultimate sacrifice
almost continuously throughout our nations
history, with an estimated 1.3 million total US
war casualties. A quick review of the conflicts
and estimated loss of life should make all of us
pause and reflect upon the sacrifices made on our
behalf (see link in In Other News). Enjoy your
three day weekend, but also remember those
families grieving on this day for loved ones
lost.
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In Other News

• Check out this article connected to todays CE.
  It has a tremendous outline of U.S.
  wars/engagements. http//www.forbes.com/sites/robe
  rtszczerba/2015/05/19/freedom-isnt-free-memorial-d
  ay-by-the-numbers/
• Things were a little quieter Tuesday in Waco,
  Texas. Fewer motorcycles roamed streets around
  the city where, two days earlier, a
  brawl-turned-shootout involving rival biker gangs
  left nine dead. Threats against law enforcement,
  some of whom opened fire, had "toned down." And
  with more and more vehicles and motorcycles towed
  away, the asphalt around the Twin Peaks
  restaurant looked more like a parking lot and
  less like a crime scene. Does this all point to
  peace coming to this swath of central Texas? No.
  A lot is still unsettled. There are 170 people
  locked up in the McLennan County Jail, each
  facing 1 million bond on charges of engaging in
  organized crime. Some may have capital murder
  charges levied against them soon. Even then, the
  investigation could take months to finish.
• New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said
  Tuesday that he will not appeal the punishment
  handed down to him by NFL commissioner Roger
  Goodell over the controversy known as
  "Deflategate." Speaking at the NFL owner's
  meetings in San Francisco, Kraft said that while
  he disagrees with Goodell's decision to fine the
  team 1 million and strip them of future draft
  picks, he no longer wants to "continue the
  rhetoric" that has lingered over the topic for
  months. Kraft's decision to not appeal the
  sanction against his team "will not impact the
  NFLPA appeal of the 4-game suspension of Tom
  Brady," said George Atallah, a player's union
  executive.