Memorial Day: Never forget, never regret

By Deanna Lasley

What is freedom? More than just a word, I can tell you that much.

Freedom is something that our country has fought for for many years.

Our country was founded on the blood of our fallen soldiers fighting to keep us free. Every war fought has been done to preserve our nation’s freedom.

We are lucky. It doesn’t matter how you look at it, if you live in America, you are living the true American Dream.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect back on all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so today we are speaking English and able to do what we believe to be right.

Dating back to the Revolutionary War, men and women gave their lives. I am sure you know at least one, whether it be a father, grandfather, mother, daughter, sister, brother, son, cousin, or friend. In one way or another, every person in this great nation knows someone fighting now or who has fought and given their life. And why have they done so?

For you. Great men and women, some too young to go so soon, like Ramon Ojeda, knew they had a cause to fight for. Men like Archie McArthur, Jack Hightower Sr., and Ron Lewis are men who fought so that their children wouldn’t have to. Unfortunately we are still fighting wars today, but that doesn’t mean we need to forget what they did.

Throughout time, not only men, but also women, have done what they can. Even though for a long time all they could do was go to the factories and pick up the jobs men left behind, they took up the burden. Then, once given the chance, they jumped in and gave it their all — maybe not on the front lines, but helping our wounded men in every way possible. Women like Marie Netto were eager to help where needed and, if that meant all they were allowed to do was wrap up a bloody arm, they did it with as much grace, elegance, passion, and dedication as possible.

We must never forget the fallen. I promise to remember the fallen, honor the servicemen and their families, and teach our children.

Dedicated to all the fallen

By Deanna Lasley

A Soldier’s Goodbye

Angels arms open wide

As we take our soundless stride,

Dignified,

Into eternity’s sunrise

Never forget. Never regret. Always remember.Deanna Lasley, a junior at Ramona High School, is a member of the school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.