As I reflect on the upcoming 250^th birthday of the United States of America, I am thinking of my father’s ancestor, Jonathan Nason, who fought in the Continental Army in 1775 and helped the colonies gain independence from the British Crown. What an inspiring story and historical connection.

As I reflect on the Memorial Day services held in Prescott, AZ last month, I am thinking of the sacrifices made by millions of U.S. Military service members in the last two and half centuries.  What a powerful history of duty and honor.

As I reflect and mourn the recent deaths of family members, I am thinking of legacy, heritage, and bloodlines.

This last thought was prompted by a chorus line I heard on the radio today.  Below is from the country song titled McArthur and struck me deeply:

“When you pass on, what you gonna pass down?”

The Legacy of Duty and Patriotism

My father left us more than just physical possessions; he instilled in his children a sense of responsibility and a love and respect for our country. His example, forged through his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, shaped the values that guided our family. Witnessing his commitment to the nation inspired me personally to follow in his footsteps and join the U.S. Army in the 1980s. The legacy my Dad, William Nason, passed down was not solely physical but rooted in the values of duty and patriotism that continue in the lives of his children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. 

Although I do not have children, I often think about what I will leave behind after I die. The question, “What am I going to pass down?” weighs on me, especially as I reflect on the values and traditions handed down through generations in my family.

Legacy, for me, is not only about physical possessions or direct descendants. It encompasses the principles, memories, and stories that I share with extended family, friends, and my local community. In considering my own legacy, I am reminded that the impact of a life can be measured in the love and generosity imparted to others, regardless of whether they are blood relatives. My hope is to continue passing down the sense of duty, patriotism, and respect that has defined our family for generations, ensuring that these values endure in the lives of those I touch.