Remember, pause, and reflect

"Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops, and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well." ~Jennifer M. Granholm

Memorial Day is more than the end of a long weekend. It's a day that reminds us to not forget.

At this writing, 137 Oregonians have died in the Iraq-Afghanistan wars and countless others in past conflicts. On Monday the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs will dedicate a memorial to honor those 137.  

This reminds us to remember. Also to understand that there are people and families in our state who are caught up in forces larger than themselves. They are in wars. They are living with mental illness. They are suffering with chronic conditions. They are homeless. They are ill and they don’t know where to turn.

So on Memorial Day, we remember to remember. We remember to pause and reflect. As we do that, we draw strength to help the people caught in seemingly impossible situations find firm footing.