National Cemetery-Memorial Day.09

114.5 acres. 82,000 graves. 82,000 American Flags carefully placed by American children.
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Today after the KBLA Sunday Morning Line Up in Santa Monica, I stopped by the National Cemetery for a Memorial Day visit and to photograph this special place of honor. It was a sobering moment as I entered this sacred ground. Words cannot describe my emotions, but I will try...Overwhelmed. Generations of sacrifice. Honor. Passion for country and service. Sadness. Re-dedication to fight because America is worth it.

I was born in SoCal and have driven by this cemetery for decades. This was my first visit. It truly was a crossroads in my life...a life changing moment. I've always been respectful of the military and our country. This was the way I was raised and the way I am raising my own children, BUT, until I stepped into 82,000 dead from the military men, women, and their spouses, I truly did not really understand. It's ominous. The sacrifice. I cannot imagine giving up my son Cade or daughters Alicia and Ronnie--yet many did just that. I sincerely hope we do not take this for granted by wasting their efforts to defend this great land!

I was struck by one grave in particular--that of Daniel Patrick Cagle. SPC Cagle was killed in Iraq during 2007. So young yet gone.

So Comrades...let's fight on. From The Lean Berets front--it's about fighting back with fitness and health. We can't come back with disease and dysfunction. WE MUST BE STRONG.

From SoCal with honor on Memorial Day Weekend, Lean Beret Ron Jones