For many people across the country, Memorial Day is associated with a weekend at the lake or the beach, barbecues with friends and family, and nearly endless shopping sprees.
For Fred Minnick, the holidays are very different from that.
The 44-year-old war veteran spent a year in Kuwait and Iraq in 2004 as an army photojournalist.
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Minnick said he photographed a series of incidents and events — from car bombs that killed civilians to politicians saluting civilians and schools being built.
“In Iraq, I traveled all over the country with Special Forces, Infantry, Strykers, Civil Affairs and Iraqi Forces documenting the war with my camera,” he said.
Minnick is a 44-year-old Kentucky-based veteran who shared his thoughts on the true meaning of Memorial Day. (Fred Minnick)
Now a resident of Louisville, Kentucky, he said returning from war was a war in itself – he said at one point he was on the verge of suicide, homelessness and incarceration .
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“When I came home, a lot of being a veteran was about fighting a new war,” he said.
Minnick spent a year in Kuwait and Iraq, photographing a range of situations and events. (The American army)
It was “a war inside me caused by memories of war and the loss of friends,” he said.
Minnick said that to move forward he had to deal with the demons within.
“People have died for this country, remember them.”
Through years of therapy, Minnick was able to come to terms with her PTSD by accepting her experience — and her new life — for who she was, he said.
As Memorial Day approaches, Minnick admitted he used to get frustrated with the clichéd meanings of the day – such as barbecues, boat parties and mattress sales.
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“If I hadn’t had therapy, I would have ended up throwing a brick at a car dealership promoting 0% car deals,” he recalls.
Fred Minnick is pictured sitting in a hummer during a scout platoon mission in Mosul, Iraq. (Spc. Gretel Sharpee)
Minnick said the real meaning of Memorial Day is to honor our fallen heroes, not to thank veterans – noting there’s little education going on today.
“This is not Veterans Day… This day is meant to reflect and honor those who have died in the service of their country – the United States of America,” he said.
Minnick said he found strength on past Memorial Day holidays by connecting with former military friends – saying he planned to spend his holidays discovering heroes from across the country and calling his friends to talk about what the day means.
Minnick said he spends Memorial Day reflecting on his wartime and honoring fallen American heroes. (Fred Minnick)
“I hug them tight and [will] probably cry,” he said.
The veteran said he hopes Americans can take just one hour of their vacation to reflect and remember the fallen heroes who fought for this country.
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“People have died for this country, remember them.”
Minnick said that for him, being a veteran means he carries internal armor with him every day – noting that the military gave him confidence in everything he ever needed.
An Iraq War veteran has shared his thoughts on Memorial Day and why the significance of the holiday is so important. (Spc. Gretel Sharpee/Fred Minnick)
“I walked the path with great men and women who were relentless in battle and comforting in loss,” he said.
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“The truth is, for many of us, every day is Memorial Day.”
