老夫子传媒

Memorial Day is a holiday felt most acutely by Gold Star families across the country. They鈥檙e the relatives of men and women who have been killed in action.

Linda and Steve Ellis of Beavercreek, Oregon, are among those families. Their daughter Jessica joined the U.S. Army as a medic in the 101st Airborne Division during the Iraq War. She was killed 10 years ago during her second tour in Iraq.

Steve Ellis sat down with OPB 鈥淲eekend Edition鈥� host John Notarianni to reflect on the grief of losing a daughter in war and the importance of remembering the sacrifices of American servicemen and women.

He vividly remembers the night he learned of Jessica鈥檚 death. It was Mother鈥檚 Day, 2008.

鈥淵ou turn the light on, and you open the door, and there鈥檚 two Class A Uniforms. There鈥檚 a chaplain and a non-commissioned officer,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 have to say a word, I knew why they were there.鈥�

Ellis says meeting with the other members of Jessica鈥檚 unit once they returned home helped his family鈥檚 grieving process. As a medic, Jessica always said her main priority was to be out in the field to help protect her fellow soldiers.

鈥淥ne time when she was home on leave in Baker, I brought up this issue of the war, the political side of the war,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he just pivoted right back to her buddies.鈥�

For Memorial Day, Ellis is going to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., to visit Jessica鈥檚 grave. He recognizes that Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the start of the summer season, but asks that people find a moment to reflect on the sacrifices others have made.

鈥淧eople get together with family, go to picnics and ballgames and stuff. I think that鈥檚 good, that really is,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 would say to Americans, enjoy those things. But find some time, find a moment or so and in your own way, reflect on the cost of our freedoms.鈥�

To listen to the entire conversation, use the audio player at the top of this story.

Courtesy of Steve Ellis

/

Copyright 2018