On this day 75 years ago my grandfather, Esme "Jim" Reginald Honeyfield, died in active service fighting against Axis forces (German and Italian) in Cassino, Italy. He was a Trooper in the New Zealand 20th Armoured Regiment. He died 11,406 miles from home. He died away from his wife, Gladys, and his two young children, Jill and Peter (my father). He died two weeks shy of the Allied invasion of Normandy and the beginning of the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. He died fighting against tyranny, evil, fascism and rampant populism. I never knew this man, but I know what he fought for and died fighting against.

This Memorial Day weekend remember those that fought and died for what was right in the world. For those that sacrificed themselves to make the world a better place. For those that gave up their lives, so that we could live ours in peace.