War sucks… It is that simple. But what is not so simple is how to thank and recognize the people who serve in our military and the families who have lost people they love and care about, or have them back home… but now with special needs – physical and emotional. What’s not simple is the war today… the one that is being fought not just on the ground at far away places… so distant that we are almost unaware they are happening..,  or in the air, but in schools, churches and even hospitals… and of course, social media.  Hospitals… Schools… We need to be aware and we need to remember. The war today targets not just our brave military men and women, but us… the not so brave moms and dads and doctors and teachers and volunteer workers… and children. We are targeted, they are targeted … And while many of their goals and objectives and government style of the “enemy” may represent that of antiquated hard handed civilizations, their use of social media, the Internet and well devised sales of oil and raided antiquities is all very 2016. 

Our government and our soldiers will always be required and truly I thank you for your sacrifice and your dedication. This battle will not be won by military force alone. This battle will require something from each of us. This war preys on the disinfranchised… Those that need social support, rules, believe it our not- security, and those who just want to belong. How else can an organization suck in youth from all over the world… Even Idaho and Texas! Kids like mine, kids like yours.. Kids that feel left out.. that feel they don’t belong. I know that as an individual, I can’t help much, but together people can make a big difference. Here are things I plan to do better this year:

Vote- sometimes I don’t have time.. Or don’t take the time… Or my candidate is already winning.. So I skip…

Have patience with TSA- these people are trying to keep us safe and we treat them like the enemy…recently I flew from Paris to Venice and never even got asked for as much as an ID and my bags had multiple glass jars of yummy mustard… Nada.. No one cared. TSA would have not let that happen! 

Educate your kids to the power of social media… For so many reasons. 

Remember that America was founded on a belief of inclusion.  Remember that our military is comprised of men and women of all backgrounds and they serve for us…. A beautiful nation, one with incredible diversity, values and strength.  I will be conscious of bias.. explicit and implicit and try to eliminate it from my perceptions and actions. 

It’s Memorial Day.. Let’s take a minute to remember.