Memorial Day is a day to honor the American service members who gave their lives serving our country.

I come from a military family. My grandfather served. My father served. My son has considered military service himself.

It was a path that was never realistically open to me because I have celiac disease.

Celiac disease is generally considered medically disqualifying for military service in the United States because the military cannot guarantee a strict gluten-free diet in training, combat, or deployment situations. In some cases, waivers or retention exceptions may occur depending on timing, severity, and military need, but for many people with celiac disease, military service becomes limited or unavailable.

That reality says something important.

Celiac disease is often misunderstood as a dietary preference or inconvenience. But it is a serious autoimmune disease significant enough to affect military readiness, deployment, and long-term service eligibility.

Today, though, is not about what some of us could not do.

It is about honoring those who did.

To the service members who gave their lives for this country — and to the families who carry that sacrifice with them every day — we remember you this Memorial Day.