You've got to stand for something. Justice, freedom, the right to dye your hair pink...something! And we live in a country that enables us to make that stand.
Each year on Memorial Day, I remember that. Without the soldiers that fought for us, sacrificed for us, and many times gave their lives for us - well, without them, we couldn't stand for anything.
Memorial Day is a very special day for me. I was never in the military, the armed forces, the Navy; no, I never served our country in such a capacity. But in my lifetime, for various reasons, I have learned the value of freedom. You know the old saying, "Freedom is not free...." It isn't.
One year, on Memorial Day, I experienced one of the finest days of my life. The town Of West Orange made Memorial Day of 2009 extraordinary.
As a volunteer in a local Senior Center, The Margulies Center of the JCC, back then, I came to regard many of those members as my dearest friends. I was blessed for the members there to open their hearts to me, as I was a New York transplant resident and so new to New Jersey. As we began to get comfortable with each other, many shared their own histories. And what history you can find through such amazing people as I was lucky enough to meet. One in particular such person was Ashley Paston, of blessed memory, a true hero.
Over a few years, Ashley had told me of his service in the Army. The stories he would tell led me to find out about all the medals he had been given. So, when it came time to nominate veterans for their role in our country's fight for freedom, I asked Ashley if he would allow me the honor of putting together the necessary documents - and submitting all the information to the mayor's office. John F. McKeon was the mayor of West Orange at that time. Now Ashley was not just any hero. In his late eighties, he remained so humble when asked about his Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart medals.
On a warm and sunny Monday, a most memorable Memorial Day in 2009, Ashley stood tall - cane in one hand and a salute in the other - as his six foot plus stature shone before all those in attendance for a spectacular ceremony. Ashley was awarded New Jersey's Distinguished Medal of Honor.
And on that day, he was also in a battle with his third bout of cancer. A true warrior in every sense of the word. He was literally beaming on the West Orange Town Hall steps as he was kissed, hugged, and saluted by family, friends and strangers alike. Not one to ever complain, any discomfort Ashley was in - well, it was not visible through the pride and humility that blinded us. The Mayor spoke of Ashley in the highest regard, as all attention was truly deserved.
My dear friend passed away not long after this ceremony. And it is a sentence he stated to me that will truly stay with me for all of my days....
At the end of the Memorial Day ceremony, Ashley Paston, the hero, thanked me for giving him one of the best days of his life. I have goosebumps just remembering him saying it to me among all the veterans in uniforms as he seemed to be so very happy.
My dear friend risked his life for his fellow soldiers, and for me. Yes, for me in many ways. I look at each and every veteran, every military man and woman, as a link to my own personal freedom. And Memorial Day is not the only day that I feel this way. I feel it 365 days a year as a Soldiers' Angel, assisting our soldiers and showing our support. I have been a Soldiers' Angel for 23 years now. (Www.soldiersangels.org)
The Memorial Day of 2009 was one I will never forget. It was a special day that honored my very special friend. It is a day of honor and tribute. Not just for one veteran or one soldier, but for all those who gave their time and devotion, their heart and soul, to us and for us. I salute them.
God bless America.
And God bless my hero, Ashley Paston, of extremely blessed memory - for his life was truly a blessing for us all.
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