As we have done for the last several years, we have reached out to those in the softball community—including those with military service or ties—to get their perspective on the significance of Memorial Day.
Here are some of the insights that struck us as most poignant…
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Memorial Day is a special day where we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. It is a day where we pay tribute to the heroes who perished in foreign lands for the freedom and liberties we enjoy both home and abroad.
People often innocently misunderstand the holiday by extending courtesies to our veterans and the men and women currently serving in our Armed Forces.
In fact, Memorial Day is specifically set aside to honor the selfless and courageous individuals who laid down their lives so that every American and our allies around the globe could enjoy life without fear and oppression from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Many will look forward to Memorial Day for fun-filled barbecues and other summer festivities with friends and family. But, to those whose loved ones will be missing from the dinner table, Memorial Day can be an especially painful reminder for the high price paid for long weekend of rest and relaxation.
It is why we all should take a moment to remember all those that cannot be with us this weekend because they gave their all for the privilege to live in a world where the brave were willing to sacrifice everything in defense of freedom.
Rest in peace warriors, but do not forget that you still must stand your watch in heaven today and all days for you were and will always be remembered as the bravest of us all. We love you and vow to never forget your sacrifice.
— Javier Castro, Director of Operations at Sacramento State Softball and an assistant on the California Breeze – Birch 18U team that won the 16U Colorado Fireworks Power Pool in 2019. Javier, a former Marine, and his wife, Shante Castro, who retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service, met in 1997 while on a tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan. They have three children, Channon, Elijah and Jayla, who is a 2021 signee with UCLA.
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At a very young age I understood that there were people that sacrificed for people because it was their life’s calling. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas (Military City USA) and witnessed military men and women every day.
I knew that I wanted to serve and that I wanted to be a warrior for good. The honor and appreciation shown to military men and women was never lost on me. But as I grew older I become more aware of history and those that sacrificed to give us the freedoms we all enjoy today.
Memorial Day became a very important day to me in that it squarely represents the day that we should remember and never forget the sacrifices made on our behalf.
All too often, many Americans forget the significance of Memorial Day and take it as a long weekend and opportunity to BBQ and hang with friends. For those of us who serve or have served, we have a shared responsibility to help keep it in its proper perspective.
It is truly a day to remember America’s history and honor all of the brave men and women who have laid down their lives in support of our liberties and freedoms. The service members we honor came from all walks of life, different socioeconomic backgrounds , different race and religions.
But they all shared the common desire to selflessly serve their fellow man and to ultimately give up their own lives to protect the so fragile freedoms that we all too often take for granted.
Less than 1% of all Americans have ever served their country and for those that have fallen, we should NEVER FORGET that we breath the air of freedom because of them.
Because of this it, makes them HEROES and should always warrant the proper remembrance.
One of the most fitting letters ever was written by Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby, the mother of five fallen sons—all from the same war:
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine that would attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved, lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,”
These words so eloquently written place in perspective the extreme loss and the incredible sacrifice made by so many so that we all may enjoy the freedoms we all have today.
I encourage everyone to keep the fallen in your prayers and include their families and loved ones in those prayers. I hope that everyone has a safe Memorial Day and God Bless!
— Scott Smith is a retired Master Sergeant in the United States Army, the Texas Bombers National Program Director & Founder of “For the Heroes”
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As a former member of the 101st Airborne Division, I was exposed to a rich history of Heroes, Bravery and Sacrifice; a history that is steeped in Duty, Honor, and Tradition.
There is one tradition I did not experience until a number of years later, the presentation of the “Folds of Honor.” I was blessed to experience this tradition at my Grandfather’s funeral—he served in the South Pacific during WWII as a pilot.
Memorial Day is a chance to reflect on all who have passed and served this great country.
— Robb Behymer, Owner & Founder of Top Gun Events based out of Shawnee, Kansas and the Tournament Director of the Top Gun Invitational and an alum of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division also known as the “Screaming Eagles.”
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I actually get choked up thinking about the meaning of Memorial Day.
While in my younger years, the holiday meant working my tail off trying to live up to the standards of the past. Now in my 50’s, I am so humbled by the sacrifices of life these men and women suffered serving our country.
Generation after generation of U.S service personnel gave up themselves because of the people back home or the person in uniform next to them. I am proud of our U.S. military and I hope everyone in this great country would take a moment in silence in memory of our heroes.
Semper Fi.
— Monte Sherrill is the record-setting coach of DII program Pfeiffer University in North Carolina and this year led his team to the conference regular season title in the USA South – East. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1989 and you can read more about his in the article posted earlier today titled: Memorial Day Perspective: Championship Coach & Former Marine Monte Sherrill Proud of “Being on the Red, White and Blue Team”
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As a patriotic military child, I moved a lot growing up. My brother, sister, and I were all born in different states and attended several schools. Military families make a lot of personal sacrifices to support the careers of our warfighter parent(s) however there is no greater sacrifice than that of a patriot who has given his/her life in defense of our great nation and our way of life … liberty and freedom.
My father is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Special Agent) who served over 6 years in Afghanistan, Iraq, Horn of Africa, and other places. My grandfather is a Retired Air Force Vietnam War veteran. They both have seen direct combat and the ugliness of wars, losing close friends, and lingering effects.
When I see my dad at my games, when I play catch with my dad, when I receive advice and support about softball, I feel blessed and thankful to God.
There are kids I know who don’t have that chance to have a family member there to support and encourage them or to simply provide an opportunity for them to play on a softball team, as their loved one died in combat defending our country.
Innocently, we as Americans tend to take things for granted and sadly Memorial Day is typically one of those things.
I ask that we simply say a prayer for those brave souls who have ultimately sacrificed their lives defending our nation and pray for the loved ones they sadly left behind. Please try to assist those families when possible.
Maybe post on social media honoring a fallen warrior. Fly the USA flag that those died defending. Possibly visit the local cemetery and plant flags/flowers or clean headstones or simply just play catch outside with your children and talk about the importance and meaning of Memorial Day.
Have fun on Memorial Day but also remember why we are able to have that day of remembrance.
It doesn’t take money and a lot of time to simply remember and honor our fallen heroes. They are the heroes that we owe our highest respect and gratitude. Lest we forget.
— Elizabeth “Buffy Goodwin, a 2022 grad of Paraclete (California) High School and a member of the Firecrackers 16U – Brashear/Smith club organization. The speedy triple threat slapper is a catcher and outfielder and is committed to Minnesota State University – Moorhead on a softball scholarship.
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The legacy of those who fought with honor should be remembered with our gratitude.
As athletes we should always be grateful for those that make the sacrifices for us to play the game we love. From an early age we are taught to respect the game, our coaches our teammates and officials. Our parents taking us to practices, games, equipment, hotels and expenses, fees. The list is endless.
But Memorial Day always makes me think about the sacrifice of those that have given everything for me to have the freedom to play this game I love. Making it possible to travel as I please to the countless tournaments and show them respect, not just on this day but every day through showing gratitude and displaying respect in my behaviors to self and others, especially when playing sports.
On Memorial Day we celebrate the legacy they have left us. Freedom. We return the favor by playing with honor and integrity.
— Kyleigh Villarreal, a 2022 shortstop/pitcher/outfielder with St. Louis Force and a Rockwood Summit (Missouri) High, is a standout softball player whose book “More Than a Game -13 Keys to Success for Teen Athletes On and Off the Field” that she wrote at age 12 has sold thousands of copies. She donated the money to help others and is an inspiring tale of overcoming trials as she’s endured over 100 throat surgeries. Click HERE to read the Extra Inning Softball spotlight on her titled: Why Kyleigh Villarreal May Be the Most Inspirational Softball Player of Her Generation.
The United Service Organizations (“USO”) is the nation’s leading charitable organization in serving active-duty service members and military families.
Here are some links and articles we recommend from the USO to better help us appreciate this day:
On Memorial Day, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. At the USO, we are grateful each and every day to our service members, their families and all those who have served our country. pic.twitter.com/W70tSIw6ro
— USO (@The_USO) May 31, 2021
A combat veteran reflects on the true meaning of #MemorialDay https://t.co/AZOu7ZKZAA pic.twitter.com/3JyVowSDas
— USO (@The_USO) May 23, 2020
Honoring the more than 645,000 lives lost in the line of duty since WWI through the USAA Poppy Wall of Honor:
This Memorial Day, we invite you to join us in remembering those military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service by visiting the @USAA Poppy Wall of Honor at https://t.co/bZhGFkt4J9. #HonorThroughAction #USAA #Sponsored pic.twitter.com/MjOhaLxIuk
— USO (@The_USO) May 31, 2021
