Sunday, May 24, 2009

in memorial, with great respect

On our way back from Disney yesterday, we stopped at the National Military Cemetery in Chatanooga, TN to try to find a relative's grave. It might be odd, but I find military cemeteries so peaceful and moving. You can't ignore it on Memorial Day weekend. Several times, my eyes welled up with tears to see all of those fallen soldiers, giving their lives for America, all those mothers who buried their sons and daughters, husbands and wives stateside who also paid a price so very high, children who will grow up with their parents' medals and memories alone. In walking along those graves, we found two babies's graves; an eight month old boy and a stillborn girl. The little boy's father was killed in WWII and both were buried there together. Both parents of the little girl served in the Iraq war; the entire family laid to rest there. The precision that the stones are laid out with, the unknown tomb (most likely where my great grandfather's brother is laid to rest, we were unable to find him); it's all so solemn and humbling. In honor of Memorial Day and every day we celebrate as Americans....God Bless our troops and their families.

"After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm. And she's still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home" Ronald Reagan

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