Memorial Day 2011

Arlington National Cemetery

 To those who have served, thank you.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 To those who fought and lost their lives, we thank you for fighting to preserve those rights and liberties we hold dear.  We remember.

Virginia Tech War Memorial

For today is not simply a holiday for BBQing and shopping great sales.  It is a time to stop and remember and give thanks for those whose lives have been lost. 

Those pylons up there are inscribed with the names of Virginia Tech students and alumnus who have fallen in war.  There have been far too many additions in the past 9 years.

WWII Memorial

We remember the "Greatest Generation". Each of the wall's 4,000 4.5" gold stars represents 100 American servicemen who died in the war.  We remember.  We thank you.

Both my Pawpaw and my Grandfather served in WWII, Pawpaw as a Marine in the South Pacific, and Grandfather at home in the motor pool, chauffeuring Generals.  They both had/have amazing stories to tell.  Pawpaw never really talked about the combat, though, not really.  He had PTSD towards the end of his life and would awaken in a cold sweat, shaking.   I know he was not alone in this.
 

Korean War Memorial

The things our young men and women have seen and experienced through the years and wars is simply unimaginable.  Today, we send whole boys and girls (for, really, 18 year olds are still so very young to me) off to war and so many come home broken and battered, missing vital parts of their bodies and souls.  We remember them as well. 

So, for those who have served their country, 

Vietnam War Memorial

We remember, we remember, we remember.  And, thank you.


We sang "America the Beautiful" in church this morning and even though I've sung this song hundreds of times through the years, I became so choked up I found it difficult sing.  The words were beautiful and stirring and I'm posting those verses here:

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved <--(these two lines did me in)
And mercy more than life! 
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Thank you.  Thank you all.  We remember.