It’s a gorgeous day in Akron, Ohio and a perfect morning.  I’m actually outside on the deck with Sheila, who has her morning cup of coffee,  reading the last chapter of Committed – a skeptic makes peace with marriage, hmmm, we’re getting married at the end of the summer – is she trying to tell me something? LOL

Okay, so it’s a blog and she’s laughing at me because I can’t think of what to write this morning.  It’s a holiday weekend and maybe I don’t need a topic.  After all a blog is supposed to be a running commentary…so here’s the running thought for the day.

It’s Memorial Day weekend and there have been a couple of guest posts from photographers who are working on projects photographing the men and women who serve in the armed forces.  I profiled Stacy Pearsall yesterday.  She’s  the only woman in US history to receive Combat Photographer of the Year, twice.

This weekend isn’t about the politics of whether or not we should or shouldn’t be in Iraq – this a weekend of solemn respect and pride, with a whole lot of grateful appreciation for those men and women who serve our country every day.   And, since we’re photographers and part of an amazing industry, it’s a time to thank all those photojournalists around the world who help us understand the risk and the effort made by these men and women.

So, to Sheila’s son Brian in the military today, to my Dad who served in WWII, to all my friends who served in Viet Nam, to future brother-in-law Randy who always has on a Marine’s baseball hat, to Stacy Pearsall and to every mother and father who have ever stood behind their military bound sons and daughters, thank you.  It seems like such a trite inadequate way to show appreciation, but I’m sitting here on my deck this morning, along with millions of Americans who will enjoy the day, thanks to what all of you have given your country.

Make it a great weekend.  Don’t waste a minute of time…enjoy your family, your friends and think about what Memorial Day really means.   The real Thanksgiving should be in May, not November!