Memorial Day... 

Do you think of picnics, parades and fireworks?... Yes most of us do.  
But what is the real purpose of Memorial Day??  

To Remember!!! 

Remember that we are a FREE country! 

Remember the men and women who put forth the effort to keep us free. 

Remember Our Military!! 

Remember the Veterans who came home maimed mentally and physically from fighting for our freedom.

Remember the POW/MIA who didn't come home from fighting for our freedom. 

Remember the KIA (killed in action) who gave their lives fighting for our freedom.

We live our lives day to day and have our own worries and the everyday cares usually deal with our own problems. Nothing more worldly than maybe finances, kids grades, fixing a broken down car or maybe planning a vacation.  "Normal" things.  

While all around the world our military personal are away from home, some in very uncomfortable circumstances, defending our freedom! Some are not far away. Some are stateside but still far from their loved ones.  Training to defend our freedom. Even at these times they are putting their lives in harms way.

We have one day a year that we Remember the Military. Only one day!?!? One that day we celebrate! We have parades... We have picnics... but many of us don't remember the real reason for the holiday! 

When you pass a military person, take time to nod your head and smile, if you can't stop. shake their hand and say thank you.  Let that military person know you appreciate that they are there for you.  Don't wait until they have given their lives for you and your freedom to 'remember' them.  Remember them NOW while they are here to hear it!  They may not be here tomorrow.

Remember the USS COLE

Ode to the Heros

"These heroes are dead. 
They died for liberty.
They died for us. 
They are at rest. 
They sleep in the land they made free, 
under the flag they rendered stainless, 
under the solemn pines, 
the sad hemlocks, 
the tearful willows, 
the embracing vines. 

They sleep beneath the shadow of the clouds, 
careless alike of sunshine or storm, 
each in the windowless palace of rest.  
Earth may run red with other wars - 
they are at peace. 
In the midst of the battles, 
in the roar of conflicts, 
they found the serenity of death." 

~Author Unknown~

"Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Dream of battled fields no more.
Days of danger, nights of waking."

~Sir Walter Scott

Eulogy for a Veteran

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the Gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

-Author Unknown