Memorial Day 2012

I attended my first Memorial Day service in a small pioneer cemetery in Brownsville Oregon.

                                              

Color Guard

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow.

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flansders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

to you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

A life time ago, yet, only yesterday

Remembering

In Memoriam 2012

 

 

Paying Tribute

Playing Taps

I went up to the cemetery the day prior, to get photographs of the flags that were placed at the headstones of the veterans who served our country.


While I was walking through, and listening to my own thoughts and the wind and the silence, I began to see the lives of these people, and the families who let them go, for us.



I came across this flag, marking the grave of one of our soldiers. Alone.
I couldn't help but cry.

God Bless America

When the ceremony was about to come to a close, one of the coordinators said they don't usually have such a big crowd, but they would like everyone to take and hold the person next to them, their hand.

As everyone sang God Bless America.

We thank our veterans on this special day, we can not forget the families either, as their sacrifices have been just as great.

This will not be my last service.


Thank you.