On Behalf of a Grateful Nation

In the Spring of 2010 I had the opportunity to stand in the Anzio War Cemetery near Anzio in southern Italy; a beautiful coastal town about 45 miles south of Rome. It was my first experience to stand on U.S. soil in a foreign land and honor the Americans who gave their lives for our country. There are 1,056 buried there, resulting from Operation Shingle as part of World War II in 1944.

It was a beautiful afternoon; warm sun and a crystal blue sky. The cemetery was impeccably groomed, with seemingly endless rows of white crosses, green grass and roses in bloom. I felt my heart swell to know that as Americans we continue to care for and honor those who died so far from home. As I walked and read the stones I saw the names of very young soldiers from every state in our Union, and wondered how many families never had the peace of seeing the beautiful place they were laid to rest.

While I walked in this somber mood of reflection I learned that my sister-in-law had died back in the United States and we might not make it back for her funeral. It was very hard to hear this news so far from home and away from the rest of my family, but I think God provided a way for us to be “home” in a way; in a place where beauty and grief, pain and gratitude stood side by side. It was a lot to take in.

There are many ways in which the words “the ultimate sacrifice” become more than a concept. That day at Anzio was one of those for me. Some of you reading this have lost loved ones, family members, neighbors and friends in the service of our country. Many more of you have loved ones permanently affected by their service.

On this Memorial Day, I offer the reassurance that their service, gifts and sacrifices are being remembered – with gratitude. Though I can only speak for myself, I believe I do so “on behalf of a grateful nation.”

In memoriam,

Pam