I prefer to use my voice instead of taking moment of silence

On this memorial day, before the day of shopping, trips to the beach, or barbeques begin I want to take time to honor those who serve and have served our country. A moment to think about the significance of American men and women, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for this country.

My father was a Marine and served in Vietnam...semper fi. My husband was a soldier a in the US Army and served during the first Persian Gulf war (he almost missed the birth of our first born because he was in a war zone). Needless to say after my marriage to my husband holidays were always interesting. The two were always bantering with each other over the rivalry that exists between the different branches of military. It was always in good humor and fun to watch.

Fortunately for our family we never received the visit from the military delivering the horrible news that we had lost a loved one. My heart goes out to all of the families who have had and will get that dreadful visit. I can’t even imagine how horrendous that would be.

I also want to pay tribute to the families who sacrifice precious time with their loved ones who serve. I do know full well how much time together families of soldiers are deprived of. How many births, first steps, weddings, graduations, and all the other significant days for families that are missed because of sense of duty.

It seems like obligation to one’s country is something that is sorely lacking by a majority of private citizens in America. Today we fly our flags and take a moment of silence, but I wonder how else we can honor these brave men and women and their families who have sacrificed so much.

Let’s take a moment and consider these numbers, remembering they are approximate and vary from one election cycle to another and one state to another.

Hillsborough County has about 50 percent of it’s over 1 million residents registered to vote. That’s approximately 650 thousand people registered. In a Presidential cycle approximately 40 percent of those 50 percent registered actually cast a vote. That is approximately 260 thousand people. Remember that in presidential elections more people vote. Only 25 to 30 percent vote in a gubernatorial election cycle. That is 162,500 people. Those numbers dwindle dramatically when you get into special elections or local elections that don’t fall during a presidential or gubernatorial election.

Taking those numbers into account, don’t you think we owe it to all of those people who give so much of themselves to this country to vote in EVERY election? The irony of the numbers stated is that America was founded on democracy. We have implemented it better than any other nation in the world. Why does every citizen not feel an obligation to honor these people every election cycle?

I hope being a part of the powers that be in Hillsborough County Public Schools I can work to change that. We can and must do better. I feel that exercising our right to vote is the most fitting way to show respect for all those who have sacrificed everything.