I've "known" what Memorial Day is for, and why we have it, for a very long time. Though I'll admit it took me longer to "feel" what Memorial Day is about.

My Dad served in Vietnam, and I've had a handful of cousins and uncles serve in Korea or the Gulf. However, they all served their time and went on to lead lives that didn't really hint at their previous service.

Both of my Grandfathers worked in the oil fields during World War II. One of my Grandmothers worked in an aircraft assembly plant, and the other raised kids.

My family has always respected the military, but in the case of my family, men who were well cementers and oilfield construction contractors were more valuable out of uniform.

So, by and large I do not come from a military family. This background caused my perspective on service and sacrifice to be vastly different from those who have friends and loved ones that paid the ultimate price in service to our County.

Thankfully, our community is filled with those who fall into that special category, and it is from this special group that I have learned how to "feel" Memorial Day.

So, today, I not only honor those we memorialize for their sacrifice, but those in our community who teach the rest of us what Memorial Day should feel like.