Memorial Day
TNT had Saving Private Ryan on and I watched it (I’m not sleeping well at nights). You would think that as many times as I’ve seen this movie that I would be able to watch it without crying. But I can’t - I cry…..the water is so red, the looks on their faces is one of “oh shit”…. arms, legs, bodies, everywhere. I want to tell myself - this is just a movie - this isn’t how it was….but I know better. That is how it was - it was a million times worse…and then my mind wanders to our soldiers today…which makes me cry harder.
The kids and I were going to go up to (insert name of smalltown here) to watch the Memorial Day services. My Dad is the Legion Post Commander, growing up - my siblings and I had a part of these services - from playing taps, to doing the readings and to placing the wreath on the tomb of the unknown. This would have been the first year for the kids to go, but it is not happening today. (a family friend passed away - not enough hours for travel to make it all happen)
I think I’ve mentioned that my Grandpa M has written a book about his experience in WWII, and perhaps I’ve mentioned that he asked other veterans to write what they could about their experiences, not just the veterans from WWII, but all of them - whether they served in peace times, or during conflict. Since I won’t be at the cementary, I thought I would read one or two stories as my own private way of honoring them. Pan wanted to know what I was reading - I told him it was a book full of stories written by soldiers like H, and he asked if he could read them, not yet I said - told him the words would be a little hard, and it would be scary … At 5, he doesn’t need to read this, at 15, I hope he still wants to.
I hope that you can take a minute or two to think about the men that died and are still fighting …Remember them, not just today but everyday.
10:40 am
You should share some of the stories here!!! Would love to read them.
8:46 pm
moment of silence…
seriously, thanks for bringing me back down to earth…we played at the lake all day, and honestly i got so wrapped up in the “day off” that I neglected to add this day to my gratitude list.
thank you.
2:19 pm
Thanks for the reminder. last year for M day we were at a baseball game and they did a cool presentation. This year we were on the road and I honestly didn’t give it enough thought. Bad me. I too appreciate our military serving!
7:04 pm
Excellent points about getting those men from WWII to get their experiences down…I think it is important for our kids to understand the sacrifices. My father went in on D-Day and fought all the way through the Battle of the Bulge and was captured in Belgium. He never talked about his time over there and my mom has only a handful of stories for me…he died when I was a year old so the stories are all I have ever had…I wish I had more!
If you get a chance, I posted some pictures I took at the Memorial Day service I attended…feel free to come by and comment.
Thanks for your post and tell your Granpa M thanks for his service!!!
1:50 am
I’m impressed with your site, very nice graphics!
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