Memorial Day (145/365)

The dead soldier’s silence sings our national anthem.
Aaron Kilbourn

TIME:  9:45 AM
PLACE:  Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
SUBJECT:  Veteran’s graves

The husband and I drove over to Jefferson Barracks to pay our respects to a couple of friends who are buried there,.
The volume of white stones marking the graves of this countries veterans always gives me pause.

Memorial Day (149/366)

“I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.”

Benjamin Harrison (American, 23rd President of the United States [1889–1893]. 1833–1901)

TIME:  7:13 PM
PLACE:  Walnut Hill Cemetery
SUBJECT:  Penny on tombstone

There are many reasons for leaving a penny on a tombstone…one of them is as a token of thanks.  There were many pennies on the tombstones of soldiers that surrounded the Civil War monument in the cemetery.
~*~*~
Today would have been Mom’s 70th birthday.  I also visited her grave this evening - I forgot the forks though.

Memorial Day (151/365)

 
“They fell, but o'er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.”

Francis Marion Crawford (American writer, 1854-1909)

TIME:  7:29 PM
PLACE:  Walnut Hill Cemetery
SUBJECT:  Flags on veteran’s graves

Today is Memorial Day.  MonkeyBoy’s Boy Scout troop helped the Catholic War Veterans and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars raise flags at Walnut Hill cemetery beginning at 5am this morning.  HandsomeHusband accompanied him.  Then, HH, MB and StellaDella participated in our town’s annual Memorial Day parade at 10am; MB and SD sat in the Miata and threw candy while HH drove.  The parade ended at Walnut Hill Cemetery with a ceremony that honored the men and women of the United States forces who have died, been wounded, disabled or fortunate enough to return without physical injury.   Afterwards, we traveled to my sister’s house for a family get together and BBQ.  HH and MB left early so they could help lower the flags at the cemetery.

Memorial Day (145/365)

 
And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.

Joseph Drake (American poet, 1795-1820)

TIME: 2:49 PM
PLACE:  Walnut Hill Cemetery
SUBJECT:  Veteran's graves

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a day that we stop, reflect and remember those who gave their lives for us so we may continue to enjoy all the freedoms of our country.  We as Americans, reap the benefits from the men and women in the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  I hope that this point is the overriding theme today, and that this day is not looked upon as just another holiday and three-day weekend.

I'd like to honor the men and women in the military, past and present for their service to our country.  You have given us a great gift of yourself, thank you.