Memorial Day 2011
For the last three years, we have started Memorial Day with attending the memorial day parade in our small Wisconsin town. It is short. It is sweet. It is for the Veterans that have served our country so well to keep us all free.
We started going to this parade due to my oldest child becoming involved in band. Both the middle school and high school bands march in this parade. It is the very first parade of the parade season and patriotic music is played. Usually, not a lot of preparation goes into this, but they always manage to sound and look good. It is a bittersweet parade for our senior high school band students have already graduated when they march in this parade on Memorial Day Monday. Today, I saw many of those seniors march in their high school colors for the last time. It is somewhat sad.
Yet, this is fitting for Memorial Day, isn't it? It is a somewhat sad and somber occasion. We go to the parade as a family to honor those still living and those soldiers who have passed away in service to our country. For me, I will probably start my memorial day each year this way as long as I live in this small Wisconsin town, long after I don't have anyone marching in the bands. After I've thanked the veterans by attending and by putting my hand over my heart as they walk by with our flag, I can feel free to enjoy my day.
Picnics, gardening, the start of summer......enjoy it all, just don't forget those that keep us free. We owe them so much!
Today, as we were leaving the parade, a veteran was walking up the street with a handful of little flags. He stopped and gave us each one. I was honored to be able to look in his face and say, "Thank you for your service". It made me feel good to say it and I hope I made him feel good in that I recognized his great contribution to our country!
Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your Memorial Day!
Carol
That is a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant reminder, give thanks everyone, our freedom has come at a high price.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely, poignant post!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, we lived in a small town on the tip of Long Island. Every year, they'd have a Memorial Day parade, and we girl scouts carried our banner and our flags along with the fire department and really anyone who wanted to walk with us!
ReplyDeleteMy father was the chaplain in the volunteer fire department, and every year he'd pray for the men and women who had died protecting our country.
great post!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post!
ReplyDeleteuniquecozytreasures - Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIf only we could thank each of them individually! How wonderful it must have made him feel to hear that! Great post.
ReplyDeleteWe have got to remember the "reason for the season" so to speak!
ReplyDeleteWow, really cool! I wish something like that happened in our town.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!!
ReplyDeleteWe owe a debt we will never be able to repay.
ReplyDeleteVery true!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. There is so much that should be done for our veterans. More than any one can ever do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to write this blog to remind us all to say thank you to our Veterans.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Whenever I see a service person in uniform, I try to make it a point to go up to them and Thank them for their service! It does feel great and we remain free due to them.
ReplyDeleteI was telling someone yesterday that I got a chance to thank a delightful serviceman (airforce pilot of C7s in Afganistan) on the golf course Monday. Great guy.
ReplyDeleteMy idea of a good parade, short and sweet.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post! When I lived in Arlington, TX, I used to go to the 4th of July Parade. It's such a wonderful feeling to participate in events that are patriotic - hot! but uplifting!
ReplyDelete