I’m not going to lie: I love some good ‘ol lip smackin’, finger lickin’ barbecue.

I don’t care if it’s ribs, chicken or hamburgers, I relish in the taste of moist succulent meat and cheese, mixed with condiments melting in my mouth. I’m not as big of an eater as I used to be, but I’m not ashamed to say I have my share of one-to-three helpings of cow (sorry to offend any vegans or vegetarians).

I think the best thing about barbecues or cookouts is family. It’s just something about standing around the grill or sitting in lawn chairs reminiscing about times past, that makes cookouts more special.

When I was younger, I really didn’t appreciate my immediate family as I do now. As many of you may know, my sisters and I were like stair steps and close in age, and being the militant big sister that I am, I looked at them as my soldiers and not my contemporaries.

Two of my five sisters are in the U.S. Army. One sibling made a tour of duty in Iraq, while the other has committed her time within the states. Not one moment goes by when I don’t think about my sisters’ well-being — whether or not they might return to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Now that I’m nearly 30, I understand the importance of family and remaining close. Yes we had violent brawls and incessant punishments, but we’re still family.

I’m always excited to see my siblings who are spread throughout the country, visit every once in a while. Just seeing a sibling touch down from a local airport or hear the doorbell ring to find it’s one of them, warms my heart.

On the last Monday of the month, May 30, while we’re sitting in our kitchens or resting on our patios enjoying good barbecue, food and conversation with our loved ones, let’s not forget our military personnel who’ve died for our freedoms.

And if you know a veteran of the Armed Services, why not take him or her a plate of barbecue? After all, they want to feel loved and appreciated too.