Fecteau: A Day to Remember

Monday, May 28, 2018

Matt Fecteau, GoLocalProv Guest MINDSETTER™

Memorial Day

"When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death -- that is heroism." -- Robert Green Ingersoll

Today is Memorial Day, a day that is a somber reminder of our fallen service members. This day is not meant to be a day solely of picnics or family gatherings, but about so much more; while I encourage everyone to spend time with their loved ones, let’s also pay tribute to our fallen heroes.

Life is already so fleeting, yet war makes it just that much more fleeting considering at any minute we could lose another one of our heroes. While it is important to remember all the military men and women that gave their lives for our freedom, it is especially incumbent upon us to recognize the service members that died since 9/11. Our country remains at war; death lurks around every corner as our enemies seek to hurt anyone who proudly wears the uniform. Those that serve in the Armed Forces are our shield.

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Being such a small state, any loss of life impacts all of us especially in a time of war. Rhode Island has had its fair share of tragic deaths related to war. These are Rhode Islanders that were taken from the world far too soon and had so much more life to live. They leave behind their loved ones, a community, friends, and even children.

While attending the Community College of Rhode Island, I had the honor to be acquainted with a Rhode Islander that made the ultimate sacrifice named Miss Holly A. Charette. Originally from Cranston, I always found Holly to be so kind with a wicked sense of humor. She was also someone that loved her country dearly, and apparently, so much so she joined the Marines. At 21, she was killed by a suicide bombing attack in Iraq in 2005; a life taken from us too soon.

I had the privilege to know another woman, Ms. Doris Poulin, impacted by a contemporary wartime tragedy. Her son, Army specialist and fellow Rhode Islander Dennis “Danny” Poulin, sadly lost his life in Afghanistan in 2011 at 26. He left behind a young son Nikolous, and his loving family including his mother Doris. After her son’s death, Doris had her own struggles but always was proud to be a Gold Star Mother. She sadly passed away last year and hopefully reunited with Dennis.

As Memorial Day draws upon us again, we need to appreciate the true meaning for this day. This day is meant to be hard; it is difficult to realize and truly appreciate the toll war has on a country, but we absolutely have to for our fallen heroes such as Holly and Dennis. We also owe it to the families of the fallen that will live with these emotional scars the rest of their lives. This is one day, but a special day that deserves to be treated with respect and maybe the occasional BBQ.

Fecteau: A Day to Remember

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