Saturday
We started out with a trip to the cemetery to place flags on the graves of veterans. We do this every year with the VFW group. I think this is very important to honor the veterans lost during and after service for our country. 
For our family it is not just the placing of the flag but also calling out the name of each veteran remembered. We were able to honor and commemorate the service of over 60 veterans today. This is just a small fraction of over 1000 graves that were marked today by the VFW throughout our county. It is our small way of saying thanks to the veterans.
We would have stayed longer but we has to return home to help with some yard work. As it was, we arrived just as our neighbor was finishing the mowing of the property. Everything was looking so nice, we were motivated to gather up some tools and trim back some of the hedges around the house! It is so muggy today that we were only able to work a short time. I hope to do more as the weekend continues...maybe start out earlier in the day or wait until later in the evening!Sunday
Today we went to our little church in the woods. We have an old cemetery on the church grounds dating with grave sites dating back over 100 years! Each year we have a dedication and remembrance for all the veterans lost, especially those who died during wars. We also had a special breakfast (actually this is the first year for breakfast...we usually have a potluck dinner) for everyone with special honor for the veterans.
During Mass, prayers were dedicated to those who served (past, present and future) as well. I thought Deacon Billy did a wonderful job of remembering the veterans...speaking of honor and respect...as today was also a day of celebration of the Trinity. He talked of the importance of faith in all walks of life...and living up to the creed...our beliefs...our profession of faith...that should rule our every step in life.
The boys were right there assisting Fr. Joseph and Deacon Billy...so thankful for their opportunity to celebrate the military. They were there to help Father in the blessing of the cemetery and knew to stand quietly at attention as the flag was raised and then slowly lowered to half mast, as well as recite the American Pledge.Monday
We woke up early this morning to pick up Christina upon her return from Branson. The two youngest in our crew decided this would be a good day to wash the sheets and couch cushions! So this morning started out with a mix of fun! We did not let us ruin our day...we just used the extra time to make a good breakfast before going about the rest of the day.
We made it to the VFW for the memorial service later today. All seven children...9 months to almost 20 years old...made it to the service. Why do I make such a big deal about this? Because the thought of our children not understanding the importance of this holiday saddens me. I hate that this day has just become about BBQ and a day of work. The men and women of the military fought too hard to ignore their sacrifice.
I hate to be so annoying about this but when I go to these events and only see a handful of people it is upsetting. I wish more people would realize the importance of the memorial events. It is important to honor those fallen but also to honor those who are still with us. Believe me...they notice and wonder if they will be remembered when they are gone!A couple of years ago, we took a road trip that brought us to Washington DC and back...among the many adventures of that trip was a visit to the war memorials. Christina was on that trip with us also and she was moved to write down her thoughts. A few days ago we were reminded of that experience and we pulled out the journal we wrote during that trip to find her passage. After reading it, Christina and I decided to re-work her words into a free verse poem. I think this says it best and I am proud to share it with you. This is what she wrote:
For Love of the Troops
(upon viewing the memorials in DC during the summer 2010)
For the tears shed
For the loved ones at war
The screams in the middle of the night
For their mommies and daddies
For the loved ones lost
For the unknowns
For those trying to cope with hope
That their love will be strong enough
To bring their loved ones home again
The burning feeling inside knowing
There are many each day in war
Looking at the marble wall
Praying for every name as a tear is shed
Depressed fear is burning so strong
Fear for the brave who strongly love us
Knowing that destiny takes over
Pleading for no more tears
For they have lived a happy life
They are appreciated day by day
For their love of a nation
Remembered night after night
For their love of life
In spite of their memory
Bringing confusing feelings
sadness and happiness
We care
We love
The Troops
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