While the weather leaves much to be desired this weekend, getting three days is always a welcome treat. So in between enjoying your barbecues, parades and time off over the next few days, be sure to remember the reason for the holiday.

As a senior sitting in the Gold Star Mass at Chaminade (my beloved alma mater), I never imagined that we'd ever add another name to the list of alumni killed during their service to our country. The concept seemed so foreign, so impossible. Incredibly, three young men sitting in that very Mass would end up adding their names to that role of honor within the next decade. Simply stunning.

Fast forward a few years when I had the honor of serving alongside a terrific NCO in my public affairs office. This was a guy I went to the field with numerous times and would have gone to war with in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, his life was cut way too short during his service in Iraq, leaving behind two young children.

The realities of war and wearing the uniform provided some eye-opening life lessons for me, lessons I'll never forget. So during my day off Monday, I'll be thinking of the names Frost, Winchester, Regan and LiCalzi and how honored I am to have served alongside these fellas and the nearly 5,000 men and women who have committed the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

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Ways to contribute:

Wounded Warrior Project
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
VFW
American Legion

For the second consecutive year, Major League Baseball and Welcome Back Veterans are raising money through the sale of Stars and Stripes caps All teams will wear red, white and blue-themed caps on Memorial Day, July 4 and Sept. 11. While the percentage of proceeds that make it to the troops remains a little murky, the spirit of the program is pretty cool.