Memorial Day Thoughts | Filed under General
This holiday weekend let us remember it is not about the beginning of summer vacation and celebrations as many see it but it is really about something very dear and special. Memorial Day is a day that should serve to remind us that freedom is always under challenge and that freedom is never free. Freedom is important enough to live for, and precious enough to die for. Let us not forget those men and women who have served our great nation during times peace and conflict. Because they gave their “last full measure of devotion”, we are forever in their debt. We stand with bowed heads and humble hearts for their graves are hallowed places. Their service to God and country will always be remembered. On this day, we can pay no higher tribute to our dead, nor render greater service to our great nation, than instill in others, who seemingly have no special reason for remembering, what the true spirit of Memorial Day really is. It is a day for all Americans! So please on this day remember those who served before and those who are currently serving so it can be OUR DAY.
PEACE will come when people live
In friendship, side by side,
And cherish understanding
More than hatred, greed and pride.
PEACE will come when people see
All people as the same,
And no one has to live in fear,
In ignorance, or shame.
PEACE will come when people
Who are needy can reach out
For shelter, food, or love,
And no has to do without.
PEACE will come when people
Learn to listen and to care
About the rights and dignity
Of people everywhere.
PEACE will come when love and trust
And kindness know rebirth,
And on that day all people
Will rejoice in peace on earth.
~By Amanda Bradley~
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He’d stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers’ tears?
How many pilots’ planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?
No, freedom isn’t free.
I heard the sound of taps one night,
when everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant “Amen,”
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington..
No freedom isn’t free.
~Copyright 1981 By KellyStrong
LCDR Kelly Strong, USCG~
Here with permission
Please enjoy your time, if you see a veteran please take time to shake his/her hand and say thank you. If you see someone or a family member of someone who is currently serving our country make certain you tell them thank you and if at all possible do something special for them. You have no idea just how much something as small as paying for a meal means to these people and oh the reward of the smile on their face. Yes it is the small things in life that is important to many. Be safe, enjoy life and yes Life Is Simply Good.
May 28th, 2005 at 8:55 pm
Amen Victoria. We owe them, so very much.
May 28th, 2005 at 8:58 pm
I agree with every word you said, and it was written beautifully! *HUGS*
May 28th, 2005 at 9:06 pm
I dito everyone !! Very well said and beautifully written !!
(((Hugs)))
May 28th, 2005 at 9:17 pm
You said it best, Victoria. Everyone should stop and say a prayer for those who made it possible for us to live the way we do, and also remember our Gold Star Mothers, who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless them all.
May 28th, 2005 at 11:38 pm
Victoria,
What a beautiful post. I hope you are having or had a sparkling weekend.
May 29th, 2005 at 2:57 am
Any Man or Woman who dies for my American Sovereignty is aces in my book.
XLNT post.
May 29th, 2005 at 3:03 am
They are always in my thoughts!
I hope you are having a nice weekend, Vickie!
((((((HUGS))))))
May 29th, 2005 at 8:12 am
I also want to comment on your new skin here, well, new to me anyway. It fits you perfectly, and really sums you and your blog up nicely.
Enjoy your day, sweets
May 29th, 2005 at 9:57 am
Seems as if at least the bloggers have the right idea about Memorial day. I wish all Americans did.
Thanks for stopping by to visit me and I do not mind the link at all. I will return the favor if you okay that.
Peace is such a pretty word - I just wish the world could find it. It will one day, but that will be too late for many.
May 29th, 2005 at 11:08 am
Some of the very things we take for granted, we wouldn’t enjoy had it not been for lives lost in the name of freedom. I salute all who served, and are serving now. Beautifully written, sweet Vickie.
May 29th, 2005 at 2:03 pm
Well done Vickie! You have a remarkable way with words!
May 30th, 2005 at 1:27 am
Vicki this was an excellent post, and a wonderful reminder to those who may have needed it. Tomarrow is going to be busy around here, my neighbor is home from Iraq and so we are going to make a banch of brownies, ( his favorite) and take them to him. We want him and al service folks to know how much we appreciate them. My grandfather, and father both served, I have two friends in Iraq right now, and know a few who are going soon. They are all so brave and noble in my book..It takes someone with HEART and BALLS to do what they do..Not trying to be profane their just stating the facts Ma’m just stating the facts:)
May 30th, 2005 at 7:20 am
Well said, well written and beautiful.
May 30th, 2005 at 9:39 pm
I went to a Memorial Day parade today, it was so very touching. They played taps, and I do not think there was a dry eye in the house.
June 1st, 2005 at 2:00 am
Excellent, excellent points you’ve made.