WE THANK YOU, WE HONOR YOU...

MEMORIAL DAY 2011

A Day of Remembrance

A Day of

Honoring/

Coffee is good although it is too early to be up, it is still good. This back has me up in time for pain meds, ice and back down again.. Oh my, forgot what real pain was like and I'm not liking it on little bit.

But pain or no pain,

I am filled with deep gratiude

on this

Memorial Day

to all the men and women

who have served

so that we may be free

in

this

great nation

in our

communities

and

in our homes.

Thank you all for your wll wishes here and the emails I have been receiving.

Your kindnesses' for Stuart and Sandy

along

with me

touch me deeply.

I pray you will get outside today

and marvel at life's beauty.

The day was originally known as

Decoration Day

back in the Civil war

as gravestones were decorated

with flowers

by mourners for those killed

in

the Civil War.

These days

it is a day of remembrance

for those killed/lost in service

and

includes those

MIA and POW's

and is the last Monday of May

which seems to coincide

with

the first day of summer for most.

The holiday was first widely

observed in May 30, 1968

when 5,000 people helped decorate graves

with flags

at

Arlington National Cemetery

of 20,000

Union and Confederate Soldiers.

And it has grown from there.

A National Moment of Remembrance

takes place at 3pm

takes place

at

Arlington National Cemetery

today and each year

and the laying of the wreath will be held at 11am at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

along with a parade later today.

Over 250,000 Service Men, Women and thier children are buried at

Arlington National Cemetery today.

It is said that at least 30 military funerals are held there daily now.

The tomb is protected 24 hours a day

365 days a year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G1FvlPakkU

Rolling Thunder has been in Washington DC with riders from across the country

paying respect to the fallen, the missing in Action and POW's all weekend.

They too will lay a wreath at the Tomb

of the Unknown as they ride

across the Memorial Bridge to do so

sounding like thunder as they roll.

Parades are held across the country to honor those who have died serving our country and in towns flags will be flying

to remember and to say

"thank you for your service"

across our country.

The events will be many in

the

Nations' Country

and across our vast lands of our country.

The Vietnam Wall will be filled with people around the clock

with people embracing, talking and stories being shared,

and

the WWII memorial will see many walk its beauty as well.

><

We remember

and

We thank those who are serving

along with their families.

We want you home safely

sooner rather than later.

Of course I would be remiss if I didn't tell you we have linked this sacred day

to the world of "shopping"

not sure quite how

but

we managed to do it

with our three day weekend.

So if you must get out there and shop today

be mindful of those around you,

those wearing ball caps

that say

"veteran" or dressed in uniform.

STOP

cross the street if you have to,

go out of your way

and extend your hand to say

THANK YOU FOR SERVING.

On this

Memorial Day

We Remember Them

Walk In Beauty

DRSES