Never Forget

Those who have been following this gibberish for any length of time are already acutely aware that I never need a reason to drink craft beer. I drink because it’s craft beer – I drink it because it’s there. If there just happens to be a more interesting reason that coincides with the two already listed, that is an added bonus. So it seems foolhardy for me to dedicate an entire blog post to explaining why I drink craft beer. But every now and then, a more noble reason presents itself and I am privileged to raise a glass to a more worthy cause. Memorial Day, which happens to be on Monday, is one of those noble causes. So if you’ll indulge me for a few minutes, I’d like to take a break from the usual beer-fueled shenanigans and pen a few somber words on the matter.

Memorial Day is the day on which we remember and honor the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Unlike Veteran’s Day, which is meant to honor all veterans, Memorial Day is specifically intended for those who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending America and her citizens.

While deployed to Iraq from November 2005 to November 2006, I had the honor of serving with thousands of brave Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines, many of whom didn't come home with us. There were three such amazing individuals who I knew personally, and had daily contact with, right up until the day they were killed. Two were killed by IED detonations, while another was struck down by an enemy sniper. All three of them continue on in my memories every day, but especially on days like Memorial Day.

In subsequent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, of which I was not a part, three more of my friends and fellow soldiers were killed in the line of duty and service to this great country.

This past October, another brave patriot who I had the pleasure of serving with was taken from us in Afghanistan while literally forfeiting his ability to escape danger to save the lives of his comrades who were taking enemy fire. He is sorely missed.

All seven of these courageous souls, and the countless others who have died in military service to our exceptional nation, deserve to be honored, and they deserve to be remembered by those of us they left behind. Whether you personally knew any of them or not is irrelevant – they died protecting the freedoms that we enjoy every day.

And while I may not need a reason to drink delicious American craft beer, on Memorial Day, I drink because of the six Soldiers and one Marine that I had the honor of serving with – I drink because they ensured that I have the right to. I drink because of all of the brave individuals who have sacrificed everything on the altar of freedom. I raise my pints to them, in remembrance of them, and tell them, “thanks.” It’s not the most I can do, but it’s certainly the least.

So when you gaze upon the American flag being flown at half-mast until noon on Monday, and then watch as it is raised to full mast for the remainder of the day, take a moment to think about why – and never forget those who died so that we all can be Americans, and have the countless freedoms we all take for granted every other day of the year – including drinking amazing craft beer, made by Americans just like us.

That’s why I drink craft beer on Memorial Day.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!