Honoring The Fallen

8AM might not seem like anything to place on a list of favorites, but it hangs right near the top of my list when I am in Key West. I will be heading there in a few days, but in honor of our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, I’m offering this today. We enjoy our freedom because of them. They gave it all.

This island hosts a US Naval Base which means that at 8AM sharp every morning, the National Anthem is played over a loud speaker so that it can be heard by the entire base and those in close proximity.

The "close proximity" crowd includes me. A morning habit for me is to bike down to the waterfront next to the permanently moored Coast Guard ship, enjoy my coffee, and even more importantly, enjoy a reminder of what a great land we live in.

I'm usually not alone. This is a great favorite place for locals, many of whom do the same thing I do. From all walks of life, whether waiting at the gates of Fort Zachary Taylor Beach (as my daughter does), or hanging out here by the water in the harbor, we stop for a moment and ponder. It's a great way to start every day on Key West.

Photo from Key West by Beth Yarbrough. Photo of American Flag source unknown.