It’s Memorial Day weekend. This marriage of reverence for those who served and lost their life and the unofficial start to summer has always been an odd juxtaposition for me. I’ve never had a family member in the military, much less known someone to perish at war. Yet, the horror of war and the plight of veterans weighs on me. Perhaps because I live in North Carolina, home to some of the country’s biggest bases, or because my sons’ school is across the street from a funeral home, where we have seen too many young spouses carrying folded flags in quivering hands.
In our family we mark Memorial Day with equal parts reverence and celebration. We take time to unwind and just hang out as a family. Mac Daddy and I usually take Bird and Deal to visit a local historic cemetery and marvel at the stories of courage we hear at the service and shake our heads at the tragically young ages marked on the headstones.
Part of our weekend includes good eats, good friends, and good drinks too. We’re more mellow than celebratory, really. This weekend, I’ll be toasting all those who serve with a simple North Carolina brew, an ode to my state.
Lonerider – Shotgun Betty Hefeweizen
Described as “part vixen, part vigilante.” I can get behind that.
Photo from Loneriderbeer.com