Sunday, May 26, 2013

A Grateful Memorial Day


This post from 2011 is worth repeating.

Memorial Day is a somber & grateful day to show our appreciation for all those who have fought to defend America's liberty & way of life.

It should not be called a "
Happy Memorial Day" celebration,
but one of deep respect & remembrance of those who died, fighting for their country.




As our nation pauses, amid the barbecue picnics & the games,
let us give thanks to the more than 1 million men & women who have given their lives so that we may remain free.


2008 Memorial Day Poster
 (Poster created by Virginia Reyes; U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

My ancestors fought in both the Revolutionary War & the Civil War.


 My father served his country in the Army during WWII & never spoke a word about it. 

My husband & both of his brothers enlisted in the Navy to fight in that same war.

 My oldest brother made a lifetime career of serving his country in the Air Force. 

My second oldest brother served in the Air Force in Vietnam, helping to rescue the wounded via helicopter. 

My sister's 4 sons were all Marines at one time, like their father before them.

I can remember when my Mom had 4 Blue Stars showing in her kitchen window, to mark the 4 members of our family that were all serving in some capacity of the military at the same time.





We'll be watching my 3 grandchildren march in our local Memorial Day parade tomorrow.

 The oldest is in the high school band & will play at both the nearby cemetery as well as the flag raising ceremony on the green. 

The middle grandson & his dad will be marching with his Boy Scout troop. 

Sweet little Ms. C. will be riding on her Girl Scout troop's float. 

We'll be sitting in the shade, waving flags & clapping for all of them.
                                       


I hope you have a GRATEFUL Memorial Day, no matter where you'll be.
Make sure to Honor the people that this day represents.



fondly,
Rett

I'm linking up to The Tablescaper's
"Seasonal Sundays"

18 comments:

  1. Enjoy watching the parade today, and reflecting on the true meaning of the holiday.
    Thank you to all your family members for their service to our country.
    God bless them and America!

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  2. Eloquently said! Enjoy your day and know that our freedoms are not taken for granted here. God bless America!

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  3. A very good reminder for everyone. Thanks for your family's service to our wonderful country. enjoy the parade!

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  4. I hope you enjoyed the day. It poured here this morning, but the sun came out by 2 PM.
    God bless all those who serve, and served!

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  5. An absolutely lovely post. What dedicated service in your family, how proud you must be. Thanks xo marlis

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  6. I hope you had a great Memorial Day Rett!

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  7. Rett, this is a beautiful tribute. What an amazing patriotic family! My husband, father, uncles, brother, brothers-in-law, and father-in-law all served in the military. We were the fortunate family to see them all return safely when serving during war times. Thank you to your family for their service!
    The parade sounds like a perfect way to celebrate the day. ~ Sarah

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  8. Hello Rett~ I've got a favor to ask...I would like to invite you over for a visit to see a very special post I've written. I would love it if you could take a few moments to stop by.
    Thank you sweet friend,
    Sara

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  9. A beautiful post, Rett, and a touching tribute to your family. So many family members have served in our armed forces. I know how proud you must be.

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  10. I am so grateful to your family members who served the country to protect us, Rett. What a beautiful post!..Christine

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  11. Rett:

    Perfect post. It's so easy to forget the true meaning of the day.

    Looking forward to having you join "Where do you keep it all? - Part 2"

    - The Tablescaper

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  12. Beautifully said Rett! I always marched in the parade in the small town I grew up in ~ and I am sad that my daughters {raised in big cities} have no memories of the same. How fun to watch your grandchildren carry on this tradition of honoring our service men and women.

    I am grateful.
    Sue

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  13. Rhett, such a beautiful post. These are the important things to remember about Memorial Day. We share a common bond regarding the ancestors and family members who have fought in almost all of our wars,as far back as the Revolutionary War. Maintaining our freedoms means many have to make sacrifices and I am grateful for everyone of them and their families. P. S. I thought that I was already following you. I am now!

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  14. What a beautifully written post, dear Rett. Thank you for the reminder to all of us to be grateful for those who served and are serving, for our freedoms. xo

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  15. Beautiful post. My three children will march in the Memorial Day Parade tomorrow as well.

    - The Tablescaper

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  16. Your posts is beautiful and I am so glad you re-posted it. So many have given their lives. I hope you have a great day. xo Linda

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  17. What a lovely post, Rett...
    I hope your day is blessed.
    xo bj

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  18. Thank you so much for sharing this post with us and it's a lovely tribute for MD, too. Wish you a lovely week.
    FABBY

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~