The above photos are from my City's cemetery. Every year the American Legion does the little crosses and flags in honor of the local veterans who are buried there. I drove my husband--a Vietnam vet--there a couple of years ago. When he saw all those flags, he cried.
Last Memorial Day I was in Washington DC and saw for myself how you commemorate the day. I also visited Arlington Cematary, a most awesome sight.
ReplyDeleteHaver a great day.
Yvonne.
That kind of visual makes the cost of freedom very real, even for those of us who have never been in the military. Thanks for that reminder, Donna.
ReplyDeleteWe should never forget, big thanks no matter where we live.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThose flags make a stunning visual impact. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do!
ReplyDeleteGreat image! I love the American Legion and the little flags they put out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. This is what Memorial Day is really about.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very powerful day and more should appreciate as such. That sounds like it would be hard not to get teared up upon viewing. Happy Memorial Day, Donna!
ReplyDeleteYeah, there is something heart wrenching about seeing all those flags on the graves of men and women who fought so bravely for our freedom! Great post...
ReplyDeleteMy father is a Vietnam veteran, and I was raised with a deep respect for the military. Thank you for sharing this, Donna.
ReplyDeleteI cry every time I see photos like this, especially when a child is included in it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we do the flag thing in Canada. But then our day of Remembrance is in November. Not the best time of the year to be putting flags on the tombstones.
GIves me chills... we forget so easy how much has been sacrificed for every little thing that we have...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Donna. I do love this holiday :)
My father was in the army. My foster brother was a navy seal in Vietnam. Lon's grandfather was one of the first 4 frogmen (later Seals) for the USA. I have University friends who manned lighthouses or served in Desert Storm. One of my best friends was an MP in Germany. They don't talk about their service. They just did it.
ReplyDeleteWe went to the cemetery today and cleaned up graves. It's a desert place and the weeds grow tall and stickery. But every year we go and make the graves shine. I always weep, even though I know they have gone on to something better. Somehow I feel them standing nearby, watching as we wield the hula hoe. It's all I can do for them now, other than thank them for their sacrifices or tell them we miss them.
Here's something my Canadian friend sent me once. I love it:
ReplyDeleteby John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Love that. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful sculpture. I love seeing the flags set out like that--it's a stunning visual.
ReplyDeleteThank you to your husband for his service.