Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day in the United States, and while family gatherings and barbecues are great, all Americans, and certainly investors, should take time out to member those members of the U.S. Armed Forces who lost their lives defending our freedom, the U.S. Bill of Rights, and our democratic way of life.

Also take a moment to remember those current members of the U.S. Armed Forces fighting in two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those who are stationed around the globe.

It is their sacrifice and service that has kept the United States a nation of free citizens, with free markets, with a government based on the consent of the governed -- a nation that, despite its many current problems, still represents the greatest civilization the world has ever known.

In a move that is down-right American, Sears stores (NYSE: SHLD) are going the extra mile for our men and women in the armed forces. It was reported to me that not only is Sears gladly meeting the legal requirements to hold open and available the jobs temporarily vacated by individuals who are called into active military service but they are proud to go above and beyond the call of duty. Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salary and maintaining all benefits including medical insurance and bonus programs for a period of up to two years for their reservist employees who are called into service. I myself will happily drive ten miles beyond a Wal-Mart store (NYSE: WMT) and joyfully risk paying slightly higher prices to deal with a company that treats my soldiers like that.