Opinion | Take time to honor fallen heroes this Memorial Day

Who doesn't love a long Memorial Day weekend? It's right around the corner, and it is sure to be full of barbecues and mini vacations away from home. Stores and online merchants will post fantastic deals on spring and summer wares, informally ushering in the joys of having warmer weather in the next few months. It's a wonderful time for all things Americana.

Unfortunately, Memorial Day is not all about sunshine and good times. It is a day that is so much more than that. On this day, we remember those who died in service to our country, and that is all. While most veterans appreciate the "thank you for your serviceGÇ¥ sentiment that a lot of us receive on such a somber holiday, it's not what this day is for. This is a day to honor those, regardless of the politics or popularity of any war, who selflessly donned the military uniform and did what was asked by our country and, in that process, lost their life. If we honor nothing else, we must, as a country and community, appropriately honor this.

Men and women have served this country for centuries, many never making it back home. Some sadly never even had the chance to hold their child for the first time. Children grow up without mothers or fathers, wives without husbands and vice-versa. Lives are torn completely apart, because of what our country asked of their loved ones.-á

Aside from the politics of war, these ladies and gentlemen raised their right hand, knowing full well they could be hurt or, worse yet, killed in service to their country. They provided us with the ultimate sacrifice, and we should honor them for that. This is their day. Not Veterans Day. Not Armed Forces Day. It's Memorial Day.-á

For those of us who personally knew these individuals, this day is especially difficult. While we do look forward every year to honoring the memories of the fallen, we dread it equally as much, if not more.-á

If we are brave enough to face it and can stand to swallow the lump in our throats long enough, we stand out there at the cemetery in our best attire. Our clothes or hats are littered with buttons or other memorial pieces, like the red memorial poppy flower.-á

Those of some significant importance stand up in front, speaking of our fallen, and inspiring and thoughtful words are of no shortage. For some time, they speak, and then comes that long, uncomfortable pause.-á

The three rifle volleys are shot, cutting through the silence, instantly sending shock waves right through the core of us, awakening some inner ball of dormant emotion. The tears begin to well up in our eyes. The sound of "TapsGÇ¥ is eloquently bellowed out by the bugler, filling the air around us. Just as the sound envelopes us, the memories we have of our fallen brothers and sisters come rushing back. I would be a liar if I said it didn't hurt because it hurts real bad. Oh, Lord, it hurts.-á

We distinctly remember the faces of those with whom we served beside who are no longer standing to our left and right. And we remember all of the laughs, the friendships, the good times and the bad.-á

We remember their families and that huge hole that's now in their lives. That look they had when you came home and their loved one did not.-á

Sometimes, while we stand there giving a salute, standing at the position of attention, what started as grief turns to guilt. We question our decisions before and during these events so many years ago that took the lives of our friends. And we wonder if maybe we had just done something different or had just been there, then maybe, just maybe, our buddies would still be here with us.

This day is so much more than a long holiday weekend. Please take time this Memorial Day, put aside your politics and your barbeque tongs for a little while and honor the sacrifices of our patriots. Please contact your local veterans service organization for information on how you, too, can honor our fallen heroes and attend events in your area.-á

If you wish to pay your respects to the fallen, here are some local ceremonies in the Sky Valley:

VFW Post No. 921 Snohomish will host an 11 a.m. ceremony at G.A.R. Cemetery (8601 Riverview Road, Snohomish).-á

VFW Post No. 2554 Sultan will host an 11 a.m. ceremony at Sultan City Cemetery, on Cascade View Drive.-á

Joe Stone is a disabled U.S. Army veteran who served for 15 years with deployments to Egypt, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan. Stone is currently working within the aerospace industry and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Stone is an advocate for veterans rights and creating PTSD awareness by sharing his own experiences and struggles. Reach him on twitter at @jdstonesr.-á