Letter from Jason — May 2018

Dear Honey Run Friends,

Today was the perfect spring day with warm temperatures and sunshine in the morning, followed by heavy downpours in the afternoon. As it was raining and I had some free time, I fired up the trusty television and looked for something interesting to watch. I found a documentary called Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery. I wasn’t 10 minutes into the documentary when the tears started to roll almost as heavy as the rain outside.

I pride myself for facing adversities in life and overcoming them, but the stories of our fallen soldiers humbled me dead in my tracks. I have never served in our military. I will never know the challenges that our military face, nor will I know the sacrifice that so many have given by losing their life so that I may have my piece of the American dream. As I was listening to the parents, spouses, children, and friends talk about their special soldier with the rows of tombstones in the background, all I could think about was how much we average Americans take this sacrifice for granted.

In just a couple weeks we will celebrate Memorial Day. This holiday began in 1868 by proclamation by General John Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country. Here is a link to learn more about the origins of this day of remembrance. http://www.usmemorialday.org/?page_id=2

While learning more about Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, I learned that this is the section where our current soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan are being laid to rest. Regardless of your political beliefs, we all can rally behind our military personnel and families, and it is my sincerest prayer that all of you find some time on Memorial Day this year to set down the barbecue food for an hour and travel to your local cemetery to find a soldier’s grave. Thank them for their service; pray for their family, and thank God you are alive at this moment in history and that you are an American.

Here is Taps being played at Arlington National Cemetery and the poetic and soul inspiring lyrics for you to read on Memorial Day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfe4TxvUOiw

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
‘Neath the sun, ‘neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Your saluting Innkeeper,
Jason