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Memorial Weekend, a Time for Reflection
Happy Memorial Day to all of you in the USA.
It is a time for us to remember those brave people who died while serving in the armed forces. I am guessing that most of us take this very special day/weekend to also remember those we loved – who are no longer with us.
It is also a time to think about those who are currently in the armed forces, and to thank them for the many sacrifices they make for all of us.
As much as I gripe about my hubby here in this forum, I do love him. On Memorial Day we try to make sure that we place American flags on our lost family members graves, especially those who served in our country’s military. Not only these family members but also on the graves of our family members’ spouses graves. For these people too gave up quite a bit to support their husbands and sons who served in the military.
We especially decorate my hubby’s mother’s grave with a flag as just a small thing we can do for her and his dad. His dad was killed in WW2. His mother went on to raise 2 sons after he was killed with only a very small pension from the government. She also, as did her 2 sons, gave quite a lot for this country. As did the parents and siblings of this man.
If some of you ever recall seeing old news strips of battles from WW2, you might remember seeing American servicemen being shot down as they parachuted out of airplanes. That is how my hubby’s dad lost his life. All but one of this group were killed in this attack. He is buried in Belguim in a cemetery that that country set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives to liberate them from Nazi Germany. My hubby’s one heartfelt wish is to some time get to, along with his brother, visit his dad’s grave. I wish with all my heart that I could fullfil his wish. He along with his brother need to do this.
We decorate our house and those graves as our way of remembering his dad, as a way of honoring what not only he, his brother, as well as his mother for the huge sacrifice they gave this country. Evidently certain people from that area in Belgium continue to decorate my husband’s dad’s grave, even to this day.
One thing we need in this country is a special day to remember those family members who support and who also have made those sacrifices for their country. Too bad someone can’t initiate a movement for this day.
Thank you all for letting me say these things. My husband and his brother as well as his mother could have had such a different life but for the want of serving their country when their country asked them too.
Just a side note that really hasn’t a whole lot to do with much of what I have just written but my mother-in-law received her “official” notice from our government on the day I was born. March 6th 1945. She had already had the ‘visit’ from some official military person but this was the day her official paper, whatever it was called, came in the mail.
Yes, Danna, this is true. This is what Memorial Day is about. My nephew just arrived home from his second tour in Afghanistan, having also been in Iraq one time. We are all so happy he is home safely – one of the lucky ones.
Mary Jo, I have two nephews who are currently serving in the US Navy. I have 2 other nephews who both served in Iraq and in Afganistan. The 2 who are in the US navy are both very dear to us. Whenever I see the 2 who served in these latest wars, I give them both hugs and kisses. One to thank them for serving. Two to thank God for their safe return home
I agree. I live in Beaufort , SC and we our proud to have the USMC Parris Island Training Depot, USMC Air Station and US Naval Hospital in our town/ county. You see alot of families in our area with family members who are deployed and families coming to see their sons and daughters graduate from boot camp.We love our military in my town and are proud of the job they do. I was a military brat as well and know what it is like for the families of those who serve. I love to hear the jets flying in the sky. There is a sign at the gate of the Air Station that reads “That sound you hear is the sound of freedom”,Thanks to all who serve and those who died to keep our country safe.
It was a beautiful day for the wonderful Parades in our area to honor our American Heros and for the flag plantings in the Saratoga National Cemetary. Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays, along with Independence Day and Thanks Giving; because they are truly American and represent the greatest parts of who we are as a country.
Danna, I was happy to read the different posts about Memorial Day. When I was growing up in Brookline, It was just after WWII and Memorial Day always was commerated with a big parade. In those days, we still had a survivor of the Spanish American War who rode in the parade in an open car. Every year my father, a WWI survivor, would say, “Some day I will be the one riding in the parade as the lone survivor.” Sadly he did not make it but when I look at his picture in his uniform, I think of those doughboys in France and all the other veterans who gave so much.
I put a comment in here last year about our son. It’s probably too late for many of you to read this, but thank you. You sent so many kind comments my way. Our son lost his life to brain cancer Feb 15,2011 due to his duty in Iraq. We showed up at the cemetery last year and were humbled by a beautiful site of a rolling sea of flags for every grave. We have other relatives there also. Another rolling sea of flags this year. What a sight to behold. Had to visit another cemetery for some of my husband’s relatives, plus my daughter has a friend buried in that one also, due again to illness incurred because of his duty to his country. So many young people lost. But a couple of “our Marines”(Wounded Warrior liasons) were in town this weekend and we got to spend some time with them, and we were invited to a young man’s medical retirement. What an honor. They will not be forgotten,any of them. And to all of you and your family members who have sacrificed for this country, Thank You Ps-My husband also served over twelve years in the Army, but he’s proud to be a”Marine Dad”.
Happy Memorial Day to all of you in the USA.
Regina says
Memorial Day is so important for all American to remember the gallant servicemen and women who gave their lives in defense of our country.
linda says
As much as I gripe about my hubby here in this forum, I do love him. On Memorial Day we try to make sure that we place American flags on our lost family members graves, especially those who served in our country’s military. Not only these family members but also on the graves of our family members’ spouses graves. For these people too gave up quite a bit to support their husbands and sons who served in the military.
We especially decorate my hubby’s mother’s grave with a flag as just a small thing we can do for her and his dad. His dad was killed in WW2. His mother went on to raise 2 sons after he was killed with only a very small pension from the government. She also, as did her 2 sons, gave quite a lot for this country. As did the parents and siblings of this man.
If some of you ever recall seeing old news strips of battles from WW2, you might remember seeing American servicemen being shot down as they parachuted out of airplanes. That is how my hubby’s dad lost his life. All but one of this group were killed in this attack. He is buried in Belguim in a cemetery that that country set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives to liberate them from Nazi Germany. My hubby’s one heartfelt wish is to some time get to, along with his brother, visit his dad’s grave. I wish with all my heart that I could fullfil his wish. He along with his brother need to do this.
We decorate our house and those graves as our way of remembering his dad, as a way of honoring what not only he, his brother, as well as his mother for the huge sacrifice they gave this country. Evidently certain people from that area in Belgium continue to decorate my husband’s dad’s grave, even to this day.
One thing we need in this country is a special day to remember those family members who support and who also have made those sacrifices for their country. Too bad someone can’t initiate a movement for this day.
Thank you all for letting me say these things. My husband and his brother as well as his mother could have had such a different life but for the want of serving their country when their country asked them too.
Just a side note that really hasn’t a whole lot to do with much of what I have just written but my mother-in-law received her “official” notice from our government on the day I was born. March 6th 1945. She had already had the ‘visit’ from some official military person but this was the day her official paper, whatever it was called, came in the mail.
Mary Joy says
Yes, Danna, this is true. This is what Memorial Day is about. My nephew just arrived home from his second tour in Afghanistan, having also been in Iraq one time. We are all so happy he is home safely – one of the lucky ones.
linda c says
Mary Jo, I have two nephews who are currently serving in the US Navy. I have 2 other nephews who both served in Iraq and in Afganistan. The 2 who are in the US navy are both very dear to us. Whenever I see the 2 who served in these latest wars, I give them both hugs and kisses. One to thank them for serving. Two to thank God for their safe return home
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Thanks. Great post.
Denise says
I agree. I live in Beaufort , SC and we our proud to have the USMC Parris Island Training Depot, USMC Air Station and US Naval Hospital in our town/ county. You see alot of families in our area with family members who are deployed and families coming to see their sons and daughters graduate from boot camp.We love our military in my town and are proud of the job they do. I was a military brat as well and know what it is like for the families of those who serve. I love to hear the jets flying in the sky. There is a sign at the gate of the Air Station that reads “That sound you hear is the sound of freedom”,Thanks to all who serve and those who died to keep our country safe.
Margaret says
It was a beautiful day for the wonderful Parades in our area to honor our American Heros and for the flag plantings in the Saratoga National Cemetary. Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays, along with Independence Day and Thanks Giving; because they are truly American and represent the greatest parts of who we are as a country.
Regina says
Danna, I was happy to read the different posts about Memorial Day. When I was growing up in Brookline, It was just after WWII and Memorial Day always was commerated with a big parade. In those days, we still had a survivor of the Spanish American War who rode in the parade in an open car. Every year my father, a WWI survivor, would say, “Some day I will be the one riding in the parade as the lone survivor.” Sadly he did not make it but when I look at his picture in his uniform, I think of those doughboys in France and all the other veterans who gave so much.
Brenda says
I put a comment in here last year about our son. It’s probably too late for many of you to read this, but thank you. You sent so many kind comments my way. Our son lost his life to brain cancer Feb 15,2011 due to his duty in Iraq. We showed up at the cemetery last year and were humbled by a beautiful site of a rolling sea of flags for every grave. We have other relatives there also. Another rolling sea of flags this year. What a sight to behold. Had to visit another cemetery for some of my husband’s relatives, plus my daughter has a friend buried in that one also, due again to illness incurred because of his duty to his country. So many young people lost. But a couple of “our Marines”(Wounded Warrior liasons) were in town this weekend and we got to spend some time with them, and we were invited to a young man’s medical retirement. What an honor. They will not be forgotten,any of them. And to all of you and your family members who have sacrificed for this country, Thank You Ps-My husband also served over twelve years in the Army, but he’s proud to be a”Marine Dad”.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Brenda, thank you for posting this very moving comment. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your family’s service for our country.