Honoring Those We've Lost- And Appreciating the Time We Still Have

A personal reflection shared by one of the veterans on our team.

As a veteran, Memorial Day feels a little different.

Some holidays are about celebration. Others are about remembrance.

Memorial Day reminds us that freedom came at a cost—and that many families gave more than most of us could ever imagine.

For me, it’s a difficult day. I often find myself wanting to stay busy, work hard, and avoid thinking too much about it. But the truth is, the day is filled with ups and downs as I reflect on the time I spent with friends I wish I could have just one more conversation with.

I think about the sacrifices they made, and I think even more about the families and loved ones who don’t get to spend this day with them anymore.

The men I speak about gave everything for this country. They gave everything so the rest of us can enjoy freedoms that are easy to take for granted—time with family, a cookout with friends, kids laughing in the backyard, and the simple ability to gather together in peace.

That’s why Memorial Day has become more than just a long weekend to me.

It’s a day of gratitude.
A day of remembrance.
A day to hold the people close to me because I was fortunate enough to come home.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how much more I appreciate this country than I did when I was a kid running free through the yard without a worry on my mind. Back then, freedom just felt normal. Now I understand the sacrifice behind it.

Some of the best moments in life happen outside:
late-night conversations with friends,
family dinners,
watching kids play in the yard,
or simply sitting together after a long week.

Those moments matter more than we realize.

And sometimes, creating a comfortable outdoor space means protecting more opportunities to have those moments together—even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

For us, underdeck systems have always been about more than just controlling water. They help create spaces where people gather, slow down, and spend meaningful time together.

At the end of the day, no outdoor space is really about ceilings, panels, or gutters.

It’s about the people underneath them.

Today, we remember the men and women who gave everything for this country, and we remain thankful for the freedoms—and the moments with loved ones—that their sacrifice made possible.