Happy Memorial Day!  While you enjoy your three day weekend and the kick-off of the summer season, let us not forget what this day is about and pay gratitude and respect to the people who have made sacrifices in the name of this great country. In honor of Memorial Day, I’d like to recognize one hell of a soldier who really loves New York.

I found this photo yesterday of a 19-year-old solider from Texas who was caught with his pants down….while in combat. Ok, that sounds scandalous, but the reason I am mentioning this story is to show the dedication of our soldiers. Army Spc. Zachary Boyd, of Fort Worth, TX, made headlines when he was photographed during a firefight with the Taliban in Afghanistan wearing his Army uniform on top and, get this, only boxers on the bottom. The best part: the PINK boxers read, “I Love New York.” And New York loves you back.

Boyd was captured by the Associated Press and was instantly catapulted into blogosphere over his choice of attire. It turns out the boxers were not a joke, but simply all he was wearing when he came under attack. Defense Secretary Robert Gates saluted the soldier who was “enjoying a well-deserved sleep” when his post at Firebase Restrepo in Kunar province came under attack. “He immediately grabbed his rifle and rushed into a defensive position clad in his helmet, body armor and pink boxer shorts that said, ‘I Love New York,’ ” Gates said. Boyd was concerned if the lack of uniform would cause trouble with the Army, but Gates assured the nation that Gates is going to be just fine. “The next time I visit Afghanistan, I want to meet Specialist Boyd and shake his hand,” he said. “Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage,” Gates said.