Sunday, May 25, 2014

* MEMORIAL DAY - DECORATION DAY *

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember what this day is really about. Many years ago, it was known as Decoration Day. That's because it was the day families and friends laid wreaths and other patriotic decorations on the graves of loved ones....those who died in wars.

Some men come home from wars, but many others do not. I am alive today because of one man that did not come home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII in the Battle of the Bulge, and that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters. A few years later she met and married my dad, and so when my brother Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us.
 
During our barbecues, picnics, and parties that celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer, let's remember that in spite of our country's problems, we are free, and we owe so much to all our veterans of wars....deceased or still living.


courtesy: Becky Sept 2011
 at our friends' lake house
 
 
"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam


13 comments:

  1. A beautiful Memorial Day post. I also hope one day no one knows about war.

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  2. Well said. We should all pay tribute. Have a great Memorial Day and a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. What a wonderful tribute, Becky! Bless you! xxx

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  4. LOVE that Eve Merriam quote. I will not live to see it - but hope the day comes.

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  5. Just stopping by to say hello and hope that you had a nice Memorial Day.

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  6. Great post, Becky. It's amazing to think that were it not for the devastation of losing her first husband, your mom would not have met and married your dad, and you wouldn't be here. Obviously, good came out of a very tragic situation.

    I wanted to let you know that I have started a new blog. As you may or may not know, I've taken a huge step back from my classic film blog. While I still love classic films, I have grown weary of writing about them. Always reviewing films had caused me to see them as burdens, rather than pleasures. So, I've take a huge step back. I've wanted to get back to blogging about other things as well...like I used to do with my "beautiful things" blog. So, I've begun a new blog, called Magnolia Cottage, and I am extending an invitation to you to stop by. You can get there from my Blogger profile on this comment (not the profile on my film blog).

    Blessings to you,
    Patti

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  7. What a sad, yet wonderful story -- about your mom's first husband. The price he paid brought so many a great gift, and I don't mean just freedom. My grandparents called it "Decoration Day" too -- and yesterday we did what we always do at this time -- go to the cemeteries and decorate the graves. I've done this ever since I was a kid with my mom; now Rick comes with me and after we picnic. New traditions based on the old. I hope your day was a lovely one.

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  8. Hope you had a good weekend Becky. Love that quote!

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  9. Hope you enjoyed the Memorial Day holiday, Becky. Lovely tribute.

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  10. Very timely post, Becky. We need to remember.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  11. Amen. I posted a poem Monday expressing my feelings about the day. It makes me happy when people remember and observe it, as you clearly do.

    =)

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  12. Hi Becky! Just wanted to stop by and say hello.
    Hugs,
    Kathy M.

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