On Memorial Day — and Every Day — A Gift

By Visit Ventura

If you look up the definition of Memorial Day you’ll find something like this… Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Today, we will keep things short.

Once, at Tony’s Pizzaria here in Ventura, two veterans encountered each other. They had never met before, but they had fought in the same war. They sat for a full afternoon at a seabreeze-swept picnic table in the sunshine speaking of things that, for most, are impossible to grasp. There was even some laughter. But before they left the table, they fell silent and sober. It takes no leap of logic to know who they were remembering. Today — as flags fly throughout the town and along the beachfront and the Ventura Pier — take a moment to reflect. Sacrifice beyond grasp, for a gift beyond scope. Sitting at a picnic table in the sunshine is a gift. On this day — and hopefully every other — we remember this gift and those who gave it to us.