It's not about barbeques or shopping, although those thinks are good in themselves. Remember, your fat, soft life was paid for with an American soldier's blood, sweat and tears. And even if you're poor or live on welfare (consider the choices you've made in the past and take an honest look at the person in the mirror) your life is finer than that of 80% of the rest of the world. How'd you like to be an average African woman for a day? How'd you like to live like a Mexican peasant for one hour? Would you care to experience the simple "joys" of a Saudi woman's life for one night? Would you like to live like a Lithuanian for a year? They have the highest suicide rate in the world. Even the Japanese, who live in material comfort have the second highest rate of suicide in the industrialized world.
May all our departed veterans, through the mercy of God rest in peace. May you find a place in the mansions of the Lord.