Today's Marketing Cookie - On Top Of The World

Today's Marketing Cookie came from Angela Morsa, the founder of Active Integrated Marketing which provides strategic planning and implementation of integrated marketing programs. She is also the President of the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation and works to give more people an understanding of Amyloidosis, help science find a cure, and ensure a better quality of life for those afflicted with the disease. Angela is an inspiration, and I encourage you to follow her on Twitter: @AngelaMorsa

Today is Memorial Day. Often marked as the first day of summer, I am happy to announce that white pants are officially okay to wear again. Americans across the country will be gathering together to enjoy time with family and perhaps have some slightly scorched hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. It is a Federal holiday and for just this one day, I hope that after you read this post, you can stop thinking about work and enjoy some time outside with friends and family.

This day was originally set aside to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Civil War and then later expanded to include any American soldier that died in any war. It is a solemn reminder for many families of the thousands of soldiers who gave their lives in battle. My heart goes out to the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who have an empty seat at their table today. I think today of my college classmate Eric Mang, (Photo of Lieutenant Commander, Eric Mang) who died less than a month ago, while in service to his country. To Eric's wife and their son, and to anyone who has lost a loved one while in service to our country, you can rest assured that they have made us proud and we will never forget them!

I remember Memorial Day as a young boy, rushing out to Providence Road to march along side the veterans as they made their way to Benson Cemetery.  When they were in position near the flag pole, the band would cease playing, and all was quiet. The commanding officer would shout off the twenty-one gun solute and they would fire their guns into the air. I can still hear the jingling of the smoking shells falling to the ground as they discharged their weapons between each round. Then a soldier would play taps, and another who was far enough away to be out of sight, would echo the call.  As I watched the procession, and trained my eyes on the men and women in uniform, I felt a empty feeling for my big brother Dwight.

When I was six years old, my big brother left home and enlisted into the U.S. Army. I have no idea how long he had been away, but it sure seemed like forever. Summer turned to fall, which gave way to winter and I missed him terribly. Then, a few days before Christmas, I came home from school and my mother told me to watch out of our front window for my aunt and uncle who were coming to visit.  I would gladly watch for them.  Being so close to Christmas, a visit from my aunt and uncle could only mean one thing... they were bringing us some gifts!

We lived at the end of a dirt road, which still had a layer of snow on it from the storm that blew through the day before. The limbs of the trees were frosted white and bending over the road from the weight of the new fallen snow. The tree limbs created what looked like a while-washed tunnel opening up to the street beyond, which was just out of view. I kept diligent watch for them as the afternoon grew dark. Suddenly I could see a long shadow on the road. I strained my eyes to see. It was moving, but I just couldn't quite make out what it was.

It was that twilight time of day in a New England winter, when the sunlight is already gone, but you can still see because the whole world is awash with glistening snow.  I saw a dark figure walking down our dirt road, and he was carrying something. Was it the neighbor?  Was it my uncle?  As the figure came closer, and closer, I could see it was a soldier, in full uniform and a trench coat, carrying his long duffel bag over his shoulder.  It was my brother!!!  He had come home!

I flew out the door to meet him. This little boy had missed his brother so much, and for a few days we would be like a family again! The joy I felt seeing him was overwhelming! As I ran to reach him, he threw his bag down in the snow, spun me around, and perched me way up on his shoulders - and in that moment, I was sitting on top of the world!