Memorial Day is meant to honor veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect our country. This, I already knew. But did I feel a connection to it? Not really. I am grateful to be born in this country where millions of brave men and women volunteer their lives to make sure I can live mine, but I couldn’t even fathom the sacrifice our servicemen and their families make each day. And that’s the point. I couldn’t even fathom it. I am not close to anyone who has been in the military so I never really understood what it meant. Memorial Day was just a holiday. A way to say thanks. A day to send an extra prayer for those who have passed in service, those in active duty and all the veterans who are here today. But this Memorial day is a little different.

As you might know, I am studying journalism and volunteer with our local NPR affiliate. Last week I was given the opportunity to cover the opening of a Fisher House in town. If you don’t know, the Fisher House Foundation is a non-profit that builds homes near VA Hospitals. Families of veterans can live in these homes free of charge while their loved ones undergo treatment. At this event there was food, ribbon cutting, veterans and their families… the whole nine. The house was beautiful. There were smiles were all around. It was the stories behind those smiles that dug a little deeper. That helped me appreciate all that I have.

Everyone had a story to share. The president of the national foundation? He is a veteran and became inspired to work for Fisher House when an army general gave his family to stay when his mother was undergoing cancer treatment. Today, he is part of performing the same act of kindness for families across the nation and even overseas.

The member who chartered the local club and spearheaded the movement to get a Fisher House built in our town? He also served in the military and came from a longline of servicemen. When a grown man looks you in the eyes and begins to tear up taking about his passion for this cause, yeah, you know it’s real.

But what really got me? Seeing an amputee with his wife and kids, talking about what the Fisher House has done for them…hearing a mother talk about how she almost lost her son.

That son, Captain Edward Klein, is a triple amputee. After surviving an IED blast in Afghanistan he lost both legs and his right arm. He wasn’t supposed to make it, but he did. 100 surgeries later he is preparing to receive his prosthetic limbs and even drives his own wheelchair accessible van. You’d think a mother would cry, relieving each painful moment of that journey. But your assumptions are wrong. She beamed with pride. She boasted of how God carried them through and how her Eddy is a fighter like no other. Today, his taking steps to recovery day by day. It will be a lifelong journey but he is living it each day and planning for the future. He may even go to graduate school.

Capt. Edward Klein and His wife Jessica. Photo Courtesy of the Friends of Flip Facebook Page.

What began as typical event coverage took on a life of its own. I was invested. I had to share this story. It needed to be published. It was my own personal act of gratitude for the sacrifices of service men and women have made, and for those who have lost their lives. Capt. Klein could have been one of those servicemen.

For the first time on this holiday I woke up with a heart full of joy and graciousness. Eager to find every veteran I could and say ‘thank you’. Thank you for your service and for the service of the friends you’ve lost.

So where’s Ebony you ask? Wearing her red, white and blue, thanking God for our military and another day on this earth. Happy Memorial Day, everyone.

To read my full story visit http://www.wuft.org/news/2014/05/22/new-fisher-house-will-provide-lodging-to-veterans-families/