Memorial Day Message

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Today is Memorial Day, when we honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion, as Abraham Lincoln put it so eloquently. Like many people I remember family members. My Dad, an older brother and a brother-in-law, who have passed away, but not of war-related injuries. Maybe that is alright, but this day is for those who died defending our nation.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their lives defending this country, in popular wars and in some very unpopular wars. Is any war “popular” or “unpopular?” The differences don’t mean very much to the families that have lost loved ones in wars. What the rest of us think about war doesn’t much matter to those Gold Star families.

Today we honor the memory of those who went off to war and never came home.  Men and women who, wearing the uniform of our nation, left their families behind knowing there was a chance they would never return. Men and women who left spouses and children behind, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.

Every person who puts on that uniform, be it for the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard knows our lives could be sent into harm’s way with the chance we could come back grievously wounded or even dead.

So let’s have our barbecue, picnics or whatever activity you enjoy today. Even if it is buying a new mattress or car please remember those who gave that last measure of devotion so we can enjoy the freedom to use this holiday for whatever reasons we choose. Those of us that served did so — and do so — because we believe in freedom, among other ideals and values.

Semper Fi to all those who are being remembered and honored today.

Tim Forkes

Tim Forkes started as a writer on a small alternative newspaper in Milwaukee called the Crazy Shepherd. Writing about entertainment, he had the opportunity to speak with many people in show business, from the very famous to the people struggling to find an audience. In 1992 Tim moved to San Diego, CA and pursued other interests, but remained a freelance writer. Upon arrival in Southern California he was struck by how the elected government officials and business were so intertwined, far more so than he had witnessed in Wisconsin. His interest in entertainment began to wane and the business of politics took its place. He had always been interested in politics, his mother had been a Democratic Party official in Milwaukee, WI, so he sat down to dinner with many of Wisconsin’s greatest political names of the 20th Century: William Proxmire and Clem Zablocki chief among them. As a Marine Corps veteran, Tim has a great interest in veteran affairs, primarily as they relate to the men and women serving and their families. As far as Tim is concerned, the military-industrial complex has enough support. How the men and women who serve are treated is reprehensible, while in the military and especially once they become veterans. Tim would like to help change that.