Soldiers Take Care of Business

By Harvey Mackay

For some, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, a long holiday weekend to head to the beach or fire up the grill. I sincerely hope that Americans attach a deeper meaning to this unique holiday.

Lee Greenwood wrote a popular patriotic song a number of years ago with lyrics that are perfect for Memorial Day:

“And I’m proud to be an American
where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died
who gave that right to me.”

Whenever I hear that song, I am reminded how fortunate we are to live in a country where we can live pretty much as we please. We rarely stop to think about what we are allowed to say or do, or where we can go. We are free to make our own choices.

What does this have to do with a column about business? Plenty! Our whole democracy survives because we have brave men and women who fight to protect our way of life. What we have in America simply doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.

We all have the chance to study what interests us, work where we choose to work, take risks and fail and try again. We sell our products on the free market, hire from a well-educated and motivated workforce, grow our businesses without limits if we are successful and make a fair profit. We go to sleep at night knowing the morning will bring another opportunity.

We owe our freedom to those who are willing to defend it.

As a businessman who has realized the American dream, I understand that the sacrifices of our valiant service people have enabled us to live free and pursue our opportunities. We take our liberty for granted but as the saying goes: “Freedom isn’t free.”

Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. Touching and beautiful ceremonies are held at cemeteries across the country, and if you haven’t ever attended one, I encourage you to go this year.

Gen. George S. Patton offered his own perspective: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

I drive past Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis every time I go to the airport. The unending rows of white grave markers are a solemn reminder of the millions who have died for our country, from the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We honor them for their commitment and service. We recognize their sacrifices and their families’ sacrifices, that allow us to go about our everyday activities.

Yes, I am an unashamed flag-waver. I like it here, and I am grateful to those who have made my freedoms possible.

Mackay’s Moral: Show your true colors — honor our veterans.

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About The Author
Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times #1 bestsellers Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive and Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt. Both books are among the top 15 inspirational business books of all time, according to the New York Times. Harvey is a nationally syndicated columnist for United Feature Syndicate, whose weekly articles appear in 52 newspapers around the country. Visit his website at www.harveymackay.com.

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