The Meaning of May - Michelle Mortensen

When I was a child, I dreaded the month of May. For me it meant the school year was coming to a close. I was one of those kids who preferred school over the freedom of summer days. I would miss my friends, I would miss learning, and it would mean I would have to go to summer camp. I hated “Roughin’ It” Day Camp. My brother loved it and I was forced to attend because he liked it. If you know anything about me, roughing it means staying at a motel over a hotel. I don’t do the outdoors. I hated that camp with a passion and could not wait to get back to the confines of my wonderful elementary school.

As I got older, the month of May metamorphosed from a month I hated to a month I loved. Eventually it became the month that meant I was graduating from college. A few years later it became the month of fabulous summer kick-off parties. Last year it became the month when I won my first Emmy award.

And this month it also holds special significance. On May 22nd, I’ll find out if I have won my second Emmy. On May 23^rd, LOST will be coming to an end. (You know I love TV.)

And on May 31^st, we will be celebrating Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a pretty amazing holiday. It is a day set aside for us to remember the men and women who died while in military service. The day was first recognized after the Civil War but back then it was known as Decoration Day. In fact, it wasn’t officially called Memorial Day until 1967. It didn’t become the last Monday of the month until 1971.

While I don’t personally know someone who has died during military service, I have reported on hundreds of young men and women who have given their life for this country.

I covered the beginning of the Iraq War and was reporting live the day Baghdad fell. I remember being in Jr. High when the Gulf War began. I can remember watching CNN and seeing bombs going off at night in the Middle East. I remember watching reporters like Wolf Blitzer in the midst of a war zone hoping one day I would do the same.

To this day, when I see my grandfather, who is 90 years old, we talk about his time in World War II fighting in the Philippines. He was in the Navy and worked as an engineer. He remembers quite vividly the attacks on the Philippines. He tells the stories so vividly, it is as if they happened yesterday.

While the month of May has meant many things to me over the years, I can say this with all certainty, honoring the men and women who have died for our country, for freedom, and for everything we have today, is one of the most important things we can do. I am so proud to be an American and for everything this country stands for: freedom.

This Memorial Day, I hope you will take some time to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom. And to everyone reading this, who has served in the military, please know I think you are so brave and I thank you for every sacrifice you made.

On Memorial Day, many of us will do something to celebrate. Some of you will have parties, some of you will be with family and some of you may be joining us. If you plan on making The Liquidation Channel part of your family over the holiday weekend, let me say thank you. We are honored to spend the time with you. As a special treat, we will also be unveiling some great surprises. And if you have served in the military and are watching, please email us at live@liquidationchannel.com so we can honor you on the air.