Memorial Day Salute

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Today is Memorial Day.  I don't like saying things like "Happy Memorial Day" because it feels inappropriate.  I don't get giddy over a store sale, no matter how much red, white and blue they splash all over it. It's a day of remembrance for souls lost. A day of gratitude for those that have stood and continue to stand in our place to protect all that we as Americans hold dear. Many, many members of my own family and numerous friends have served in Our Armed Forces. I am extremely fortunate that the ones I have known in my lifetime came back home. So many did not.

My Dad

     Seeing the American Flag makes me pause any day of the week and both the National Anthem and I'm Proud to Be An American make me cry. I know how blessed I am to have my family members in my life. I cannot imagine some of the things they saw or experienced. How frightening some of those days and night might have been.  I am blessed that we never had some military officials coming to our door to tell us a loved one was not coming home.

USS America - My Dad served on her

     I get upset when I see someone not handling the Flag correctly or desecrating it. I have to clench my fists and grit my teeth and remember that those men and women fought and sacrificed so that person would have that right. I am upset that when the National Anthem is being played or sung and I see people talking, eating, doing everything except taking a few moments to show respect. They haven't been taught what those words MEAN. I wonder if they understood more fully, if they would have more pride in this country and even in themselves. Do they fully understand what other people have sacrificed for them? That some one they never knew stood in there name and fought or even died so that they could wake everyday in free nation? I have to hope that someday they will gain that knowledge. I DO understand. So today, I offer my deepest, heartfelt "Thank You" to all that have served for this Country and to those families who said goodbye too soon. I shed a tear for your loss.With hand to heart, I honor you all and salute you.    

 To my Dad, Brother, Grandparents, Uncles, Cousins.  You have represented in all branches of Our Armed Forces. I am proud of you and honored to have you in my life! THANK YOU

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Defense of Fort McHenry (The Star Spangled Banner)

By Francis Scott Key

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,

Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

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When you see a member of our military, shake their hand and tell them "Thank you".

May God Bless America and May American Bless God!