Veteran commemorates Memorial Day with celebration and solemnity

Mike Opelka welcomed back Army veteran and uber walker Ernesto Rodriguez to "Pure Opelka" on Friday to review how to properly acknowledge Memorial Day.

Rodriguez, who did four tours, does not adhere to the strictly somber approach some like to make toward Memorial Day. He said the day was "made to enjoy as well" and that "the best way to bring memory to those that we lose is to celebrate life."

He said we should also remember that it was originally called Decoration Day because people would decorate the tombs of fallen soldiers. Rodriguez himself walked 22 miles with some veterans on Saturday, one of whom is an amputee, to raise awareness of those who cannot handle the return to civilian life.

Mike added to set an alarm for 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to observe the National Moment of Silence.

Rodriguez is now writing a book about his 2200 mile walk drawing attention to the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. He will also appear on a veteran's edition of the game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and will give half of whatever he makes to End 22.

He was also in a video for the band Beartooth's song "Sick of Me" as a vet who overcame his inner turmoil.

To see more from Mike, visit his channel on TheBlaze and listen live to “Pure Opelka” weekdays 7–10 p.m. ET & Saturdays 6–9 a.m. ET, only on TheBlaze Radio Network.