Gratitude on Memorial Day
To everyone in the USA, Happy Memorial Day! I want to encourage you to take a moment to show Gratitude on Memorial Day.
I love living in a place where patriotism shines and is celebrated.
Summer is often about the parades, picnics, fireworks, and parties around the pool.
However, the reason we can celebrate and gather was because a price was paid for us.
Many in our military have given their lives, limbs, and sometimes mental health so that we can enjoy every moment of celebrations today.
Flags will fly and colors worn, but make sure you take a moment to express gratitude on Memorial Day.
As the older generation, it is up to us to remind the younger family members what this day really means.
It is much more than making a big splash in the pool and blasting Country Music and grilling those hamburgers.
We must teach them to take a moment and be thankful for what we have.
Mr. B’s mother was present at Pearl Harbor and her stories to us were gripping….but important that we hear.
My father flew a plane in World War II and suffered from PTSD most of his life with nightmares.
He did not want to share his trauma, but only the victories. The family respected that.
Our grandchildren need to hear those stories….in a way to share…gratitude.
Yes, summer officially kicks off today, but we can have much fun because a price was paid.
If you live in the USA, please take time to teach others about Gratitude on Memorial Day.
We are so thankful to all who have served and serve…you are brave, incredible men and women.
Blessings to you all….
BE THANKFUL AND KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
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ANOTHER COLOR DISCOVERY TOMORROW!
We were in Hawaii in January. The Pearl Harbor Memorial was a very emotional experience for me. You can still see the oil leaking from the Arizona. All the tourists, young and old, were incredibly respectful, which did my heart good. The park ranger kindly explained to me where the first wave of planes came from, and it was just such a feeling of being there, realizing how much people sacrificed and how brave they were. I woke up this morning thinking about them. They will not be forgotten.
Hi Linda, Thank you for sharing your visit to Pearl Harbor. My MIL was a teen bride with a baby and married to a soldier stationed at Pearl Harbor. She looked up while washing dishes at the kitchen sink and saw the planes coming in low. I believe it was for family members yet to be born, including my own, that God saved her that day. Thank you for encouraging others to not forget.
Yes remembering all who gave their lives to keep our country safe, and still representing “land of the free- home of the brave.”
My dad was a WW2 U.S. Army/Air Force sergeant who served in England with the RAF.
He trained in Amarillo TX. ( base is no longer there).
So many bases have been closed. We saw at least two in San Antonio closed and it is called the Military City. Thanks for sharing about your dad Paulette. We all need to hear their stories.
The small town I lived in for many years had a very moving and respectful Memorial Day remembrance. The entire town showed up for it. It started with an invocation then the historical society read the names of the town’s fallen all the way back to the War of 1812, a high school student recited the Gettysburg address, tap on the trumpet echoing on the lake, the high school band played. The small town I live in now also has a respectful memorial but due to Bob’s disability we can’t attend. Both towns line the main street with flag. We fly the flag as do my neighbors. My Dad and my uncles fought in WWII and miraculously all came home. My best friend’s Dad was a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack. Both my husband and my late husband served during Vietnam though neither of them saw combat. They were not treated well when they returned to the states which was very sad.
I know…those Vietnam stories about how the military was treated were just awful and so, so sad. I am so sorry they endured that. I love the small town celebrations…a big motorcycle with a huge flag flying behind just drove by my house…it made me smile.
My grandfather served in the Navy for his entire career. My dear late father served his entire career in the Navy, in Korea, WW II, and in Vietnam. My late FIL was seriously wounded on a ship in WWIi. Two of my brothers served in the Navy and my nephew in the Marines. My husband was on submarines and in the Gulf war. My husbands uncle was killed in WW II in Europe while in the Army. Too many of our high school friends were killed in Vietnam. We remember deeply every Memorial Day with gratitude and love for their ultimate sacrifice for our country which they loved so much.
My father was career Navy and he and my mother were stationed at Pearl Harbor when the ships were attacked. Because he was a flight mechanic he was not on the ships. My mother remembered the explosions. But like so many conversations about WWII they were brief and without details. My regret of course is not being more probing of their experiences.
My father was in a plane that was shot down and at sea for over a day but he of course would not discuss this either.
What a military family…what heritage…you are blessed with strength and courage running throughout your family, Kathleen. Thank you for the many sacrifices made.
Very much like the members of my family, Suzi. I understand there was trauma, would like to have known more. Thank you for sharing.
Your MIL ‘s experience is pretty amazing. I can’t imagine her feelings with a baby to protect and a young husband in danger. My dad was an Army radio operator in the Philippines, and had no problem talking about his war time experiences. But my father in law was a Marine who rode in the belly of bombers as the navigator. He had nightmares and never was able to speak of his experiences. Bless them all!
Yes! Bless them all!
You are right, Pam, that we need to preserve the stories of those who have served so valiantly. There was a gentleman in our Church who passed away in his 101st year. He was at the Battle of Iwo Jima as a young seaman and was on his ship when that iconic flag was raised. He said every ship there started blasting their very loud and huge horns as the flag went up. He said it was unforgettable. Later while serving in the Korean war, he came upon a foot locker in his quarters. It contained a 40 foot US flag which would have been displayed on a ship for ceremonial purposes. His CO said he could have it as no one knew why it was there. For many years this man displayed this huge flag on patriotic holidays across the front of his house. So many veterans of WWII came through San Diego, and many decided to settle here. It is still a big military town. As Jim McCann the CEO of 1-800-Flowers said in a post, “Memorial Day is remind us that freedom was never free.” We honor those who sacrificed by remembering them.
Thank you for sharing his story, Mary. He was such a key part of our history. I love reading these stories!
Yes, and amen to this heartfelt post! We are free to do the things we love because so many brave men and women went off to do things they hated and many did not return. Such a tremendous gift that so many Americans seem to take for granted.
I agree! It is taken for granted…we are blessed!