Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day


Today is the day we remember and thank our fallen soldiers.


I would also like to extend my remembrance and thanks to those soldiers who did not die in battle ... who came home to lead separate lives.
Because they carried home the "ultimate sacrifice", and somehow managed to live with it the rest of their lives.

I also thank the families of ALL soldiers -- those lost in battle, and those who came home changed. Because when you see what these brave soldiers have seen, have done what they had to do ... you die a little. It may not show for years; the scars stay hidden in their hearts. And their families who see (and saw) them suffer, also feel the pain.

On a personal note ...
Thank you to my grandfather, who served in WWI.
Thank you to my father, who served in WWII (and was a POW).
And thank you to my ex-husband, who served in the first Gulf War.

You have my everlasting gratitude.

6 comments:

  1. Oh, Sissy--so many of our family have stood for our country in terrible times.

    I join you in everlasting gratitude to the amazing men who fought for us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Is that Pleasant Hill cemetary where so many of our family are buried? Poignant Picture.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just me again--I hope you don't mind, but I quoted what you wrote in this piece on my blog, too--with a credit to you. You wrote exactly how I feel, but didn't know how to say.

    Thank you, Sissy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Actually the top photo was taken at a Catholic graveyard in Oregon City. The second was taken at a much larger cemetery, also in Oregon City, where the Barlows are buried.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful post Clytie! My father served in the Navy in WWII. He was on a destroyer in the Pacific when the atomic bombs were dropped and then spent a year in occupied Japan. He always told us amazing stories.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amen...This is beautiful, a wonderful tribute.

    ReplyDelete