Memorial Day, Take time to Remember.

Let me start this post about Memorial Day by saying I'm not a warrior. I have never served in the military. I do respect those that do, and have. Sometimes when I see a soldier in uniform out in public I will take the time to thank them for their service to the country. Today I'll thank two warriors in particular, my father Morris Delance Cook and my father in law Wesley Edward Kidd.

My dad, was a very good wrestler as a young man. His high school team brought back a state championship to our town. He attended Augustana College on a 4 year wrestling scholarship graduating in business. In our home a cross face was akin to a handshake. One of my earliest memories was learning how to "Sit Out". He served in Korea an achieved the rank of Master Sargent. Morris better know as "Moe" was an insurance underwriter for his entire career. He ultimately retired from The Western Fire and Casuality Company to the life of a "Country Gentleman". He passed away in 2002.

Wes graduated with a degree in engineering from Westpoint. He was an Airborne Ranger and served both in Korea and Vietnam. He rose to the rank of Major before retiring from the military. After leaving the military he was employed as an Engineer at AT&T Bell Labs, and Lucent. At 76 he is very active and is still tough as nails. His mother is still alive. She is 99 years old. My wife and I agree he might just live forever. That is unless he falls off the roof of his house. It is not unusual to find him up there any given Saturday, lashed to the chimney, to touch up a spot of peeling paint.

I would encourage all of you to say thank you to a soldier, past or present. They have more than earned it.