I never really cared much for Memorial Day before I married into the military. Before I met my husband, I saw this weekend as the beginning of summer. It was time to hit the beach and light up the grill. Now, it has a different tone. My husband has seen more death than he will ever really tell me. His head always hangs a little lower as he asks me to share a shot for all those unnamed losses. And even as he approaches retirement, and maybe his service is almost over, there is always that gut punch that I could one day be raising a glass to his memory and his valor.

There is more that I could say about war right now. Of course, there is. It is enough though to name the grief carried by those that serve in the military.