When my grandfathers finally started opening up about what they experienced in WW2, I was all ears. There was always such pain and sorrow in what they told, with one of my grandfathers often shedding tears while he talked.

My grandfathers survived the war, but I know they carried with them the memories of their lost buddies and comrades. I’m sure they asked themselves many times, “Why did I get to live and not them?”

I’m older now and can see that the loss of those they served with was a heavy cross for them to bear and I’ve always known that the least I could do for my grandfathers was to always be grateful for what they did and for what their fallen comrades did to preserve our freedom.

The news often shows groups of spoiled, ungrateful, egotistical people screaming about how horrible America is and there can be a tendency to see these very purposefully selected groups as representing most Americans.

I know better, though. Most Americans do value our country and are deeply grateful and indebted to our fallen service members and are moved by their sacrifice.

May we remember our fallen heroes today, Catholic Pilgrims—true heroes that only get one day of honor and not a month of hedonistic self-serving adulation.

I pray that we are always humbled and grateful for those that are willing to lay down their lives for something bigger than themselves.

May God give them rest and peace.

Have a blessed Memorial Day.