Every Memorial Day I take time to remember why we celebrate. 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 came home from wars, but many others did not. I am alive today because of one man that did not make it home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII, and although that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters, my brother, Mike, and I wouldn't be here if that hadn't happened. A few years later, she met and married our father. When Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us!
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| courtesy: Becky Sept 2011 at our friends' lake house |
During our barbecues, picnics, and parties celebrating the beginning of summer, let's remember why it's possible that all of us are here today.
I don't write a political blog, but I will say this, if you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of extremely powerful sights that you will never forget...and you will surely have chills...
"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam
*this was a repost from 2014*
I have been to DC and it is moving. But I was taught that the flag, the Star Spangled Banner, and men in uniform were moving. We need to return to those days.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, Claudia.
DeleteI remember this story from your memoirs!
ReplyDeleteYes, visits to Arlington and the Wall are on my bucket list.
'Thanking my parents for instilling in me a great appreciation for our men and women in uniform ... even when I didn't realize it myself.
Yes, like Claudia said...I don't think kids have been taught much about those things in many years....
DeleteI don't think we have Memorial Day. We have Anzac day in April when there is a dawn service for fallen soldiers, followed by a parade through the streets, it's sad to see the WW2 contingent right down to a single soldier, I don't remember if that was this year or last year, I no longer watch the parade. Then in November we have Remembrance Day which I think is the same or similar to your Memorial Day? We have a one minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
ReplyDeleteHi River! Thank you for telling us about this. I think your Anzac Day would be like our Memorial Day, to remember all those who served and died. And then Remembrance Day is like our Veteran's Day, which is also on November 11th. That is to remember all soldiers/sailors, etc who served....they are the veterans.
DeleteI rember my parents calling it Decoration Day. I shudder every time I drive past the thousands of tombstones in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Hope you had an enjoyable weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, yes the Jefferson Barracks cemetery is quite large. Something about all those matching, white markers...I just looked up information about how many graves are in both Jefferson Barracks and Arlington.
DeleteJB has 188,000+, and Arlington has 400,000+
So sad...
Yes, it is heartbreaking to think of those who lost their lives for our freedom. Remembering their sacrifice is fitting.
ReplyDeletePat
www.patwahler.com
Thanks, Pat. So true!
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