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Memorial Day Thoughts……

It was 10 years ago. The highways have not changed much in that time but we have both aged, the asphalt and I. Memorial Day Weekend of 2010 found me in Missoula, MT, and on that day the clouds were gray and the rain fell, often in torrents that reminded me how miserable wet feet can become and just how long 30 miles can be.

I had just placed a flag and as I came down a long, gradual descent on the highway I noticed a black Audi with dark windows, pull over and stop. Slowing to a walk I prepared myself for the unexpected. Those moments of stillness when our minds go blank, waiting, waiting, just waiting, and then he stepped out of his car. He was no small man by any means. He was huge, really huge. In his left hand was the tiny hand of a small girl who he introduced as his daughter.  His other hand was extended to me and we shook. My eyes drifted to a bumper sticker on his car that said “Marine Vet” and I felt safe. 

In a thick Polish accent he spoke. “I came to this country as a political refugee and you opened your arms to me. I owe your country so much. I wanted to pay it back in some way so I joined the Marines and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. I lost many friends”. There is a long pause and then he says “It was an honor for me to serve” and his eyes are wet. Sharply he snaps to attention and salutes, his daughter looks up at her father and I know she knows how he feels at this moment and he is her hero.

We never know who is watching or who is listening or who is thinking about us and the indelible mark that we all leave with our footsteps, our path through life. The tragedy for many is never recognizing the opportunity to do more while expecting nothing in return. Every Memorial Day since then takes me back to a chance encounter on a chance highway on a chance day and reminds me that our debt to those gone can never be repaid only remembered…….

Five years ago on Memorial Day weekend I was running down Highway 200 in the rain towards Missoula, MT when a car pulled over and out stepped a rather large, imposing figure….really large in fact. He stood at the back of his car and as I approached and he began to speak I picked up on a thick Romanian accent. “I heard of you and knew you were coming. I wanted to come out here, find you and say than you for remembering. I lost a few friends on two tours and I appreciate what you are doing. I want you to know it was MY HONOR to serve YOUR COUNTRY.” And then he saluted. His honor….my remembering…I pondered that for many miles. You see he was a political refugee from Romania and had sought asylum and ultimately citizenship in the United States. He told me that he felt a need to show his gratitude by serving in our military to fight for the freedom he was afforded in this country. That is true patriotism.

With Memorial Day again coming up I will be traveling to Corona, CA for the Inaugural Memorial Day March which begins on Saturday the 23rd at 9 a.m. at Corona City Hall. It is a free event. Carry a flag and write a personal message on a tag attached to it. We will cover 2.8 miles to the Veterans Park then plant the flags in a giant USA Mural on the side of a small hill. Corona is a gracious and appreciative city and very Red, White and Blue. Memorial Day has a special meaning to each of us and we honor it in many ways. So take a walk, plant a flag for someone….remember friends, family and loved ones….See you on Grand Ave in Corona!!

When I was young my inspiration came in many forms. There were names and faces and books that sparked my imagination. Neil Armstrong, Muhammed Ali, Mickey Mantle. They were the spark in my eye and the drive in my heart that made me want to be more. Now that I am in my 50s I have discovered I am no less inspired than I was 40 years ago. I can thank the Boston Marathon for that. Just recently I was able to run my 3rd Boston and this time was different than the first two. I studied faces. Not only along the course but on the runners themselves. And what I saw was amazing.

A smile can be contagious and when you see a person smiling at you or at themselves how can you not be moved and smile yourself? Each person was there for a reason. Each runner had their own inspiration. Each person struggled with early mornings in the dark as they trained for their marathon. They struggled with heat and cold and injuries I am sure. Yet, they smiled as if it were Christmas morning. I discovered a new respect for marathoners. It was not that I did not harbor any before because running 26.2 miles is quite an achievement for anyone but I think that as runners we can become a little jaded or one-way in our thinking. We are all athletes, we are all one as we move forward. Be it a 5k or 100 miles. As simple as it sounds the fact remains that it is only the runner, the individual, the mom, dad, teacher, nurse, student who puts one foot in front of the other till they finish. No one does it for them. No one is any more important or special than the runner beside them. It was once said that Boston is a standing ovation for you for 26 miles. It truly is. Perhaps that is what brings out so many smiles. The people along the course struggle and rejoice with the runners. They feel the pain and they feel the joy and their energy and encouragement inspire us. If the world had the caring and support that I felt what an amazing place it would be. So smile when you walk out your day. The sun always comes up…..