Remembrance

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance.  It is a time to remember our fallen heroes.  It is a time to remember those whom have gone before.  It is a time to teach our children about their heritage.  It is a time to show our respect.

Today we visited three local cemeteries and decorated seven graves of loved ones that have gone before.  My mom, my maternal grandpa, my paternal grandpa, my paternal uncle, hubby's maternal grandma, and hubby's paternal grandma and grandpa.

Princess and Grandma decorating maternal grandpa's grave.

Grandpa was an industrial arts teacher.  

Grandpa loved his rose garden.

Grandpa created beautiful stained glass windows.

Grandpa passed 22 months ago. 

Mom's grave.

Mom loved flowers and her garden.

Mom loved spending time with her grandchildren.  

Mom passed away 21 months ago.

Pumpkin refusing to have his picture taken.

Princess checking out my paternal grandpa's grave.

Grandpa served in World War II.

Grandpa serviced large appliances.

 Grandpa passed away when I was five.

My uncle's grave.

He was eleven.

Below you will find the poem In Flanders Fields.  My Sunday School teacher served in World War II and every Memorial Day Sunday she would read these verses for the church congregation.  She past away while I was in graduate school, but she and her fellow heroes are not forgotten.

In Flanders Fields

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 Flanders 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.

John McCrae, 1872-1918