Are you remembering someone today? Semper Fi, Drew.

It's Memorial Day Weekend.  Are you enjoying the pool?  Having a b.b.q. with friends and family?  Hitting the local theater?  Yeah, me too.  But I'm also remembering Drew, my first student to be killed in action.  The towheaded kid  that kept me on my toes was in the same graduating class as my own son.  His wry little grin and those freckles got him out of a lot of mischief.  The two boys had much and little in common.  They attended the same church, hung out at the same mall, played the same video games.   Yet, they had different circles of friends and took quite separate paths after graduation.  My son's path took him to college, Drew's took him to the Marines. 

This spring, Drew came home early, a fallen hero. His best friend from high school, whom he'd joined up with, brought him home to us.  Drew had been trying to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.   He was still keeping others on their toes and alert!  But his wry grin and those freckles didn't get him out of the mischief or trouble this time.  I sat sobbing at mass while the Purple Heart that I'd taught him about in school was presented to his parents. 

My son is home from college for the summer.  He has the freedom to go thanks to Drew and those like him.  My prayers this weekend are with Drew's parents as they discover the true meaning of Memorial Day weekend the hard way.

R.I.P. Lance Corporal Drew Weaver an all those who've died for our freedom.  Semper Fi means always faithful.  Tha was Drew, and so many other before him.   For that, we can only say thank you.  Who are you remembering today?