Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as "Decoration Day" and that women decorated graves of their loved ones with flowers instead of having a BBQ?

I remember when I went to my High School reunion in downtown Shreveport, I was so surprised to see one of my favorite people from High School, Jonas Kelsall, in uniform. He was always one who would joke. In fact, he used to try to convince me that he had a twin brother that didn't go to school with us. For years, he would never really tell me because it was more funny for me to keep asking and being confused about it. lol He was always a prankster, and probably a lot of people don't know that I took him and another High School friend to the first radio station I was ever a part of. I showed them the station and we recorded something silly and I played it on the radio all the time. We were 14.

Last year, our community was hit hard by the loss of two of our classmates,  Jonas Kelsall and Rob Reeves, who died while serving our country last year as Navy Seals. They were two great and funny guys that we all loved and now we can love and remember them on this special weekend. We have been so sad to lose them but so proud to have known them.

Give some love to someone who has given their time to serve our country and protect our freedom.

In the words of our fallen Jonas, "If I die on a mission, I'll die happy because I'm doing something for my country."

I remember at our graduation there were words of who was going to Harvard or Yale and who would give Caddo Magnet a good name by going on to accomplish so much in life, but these two men are by far the prize of our school and generation. RIP guys... you've served well.

Thank you all for your service and pray for those who are missing those who gave all.

Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La, and Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.

Robert James Reeves and Jonas Kelsall had been childhood friends in Shreveport, La., where they played soccer together and graduated from Caddo Magnet High School, Kelsall's father, John, told The Times of Shreveport and KLSA-TV. Both joined the military after graduation, though the 32-year-old Reeves spent a year at Louisiana State University first, his father, Jim Reeves, told the newspaper. Reeves became a SEAL in 1999 and served on SEAL Team 6, his father said. During his many deployments, he earned four Bronze Stars and other honors. Kelsall, 33, was one of the first members of SEAL Team 7, his father said. He trained in San Diego and met his wife of three years, Victoria, when he was attending the University of Texas out of Basic Underwater Demolition training, his father said. Reeves placed several American flags outside his home and his neighbors joined in, many decorating their homes in red, white and blue in support of the families.

 

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