I want to give a big thank you to the men and women who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice in order to bring us freedom and to keep us safe.
A special thank you to my father in law who is no longer with us, and to my husband who is currently serving and has been for the past almost 21 years.
Let us not forget the real reason for this day.
It's not just about barbecues, drinks and hanging out with friends. For us, it's the daily reminder as we watch our husbands put on the uniform and head out the door, or say goodbye as they travel across the world to fight for our children, for our rights, for our freedom.
Please take a moment today to think about and to say a prayer for not only the troops that have passed on, but for the Veterans and for the Armed Forces who are currently serving.
My father in law Douglas Bourland....we miss you dad!
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” -Norman Schwarzkopf
I hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
For many, it's just 3 days off work. For others, it's the numerous sales going on at many stores. But for many like myself, it's the moment to pause, to reflect and to think about the men and women who have served, who have lost their lives giving the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of this country.
For us, it's the daily reminder as we watch our husbands put on the uniform and head out the door, or say goodbye as they travel across the world to fight for our children, for our rights, for our freedom.
Please take a moment today to think about and to say a prayer for not only the troops that have passed on, but for the Veterans and for the Armed Forces who are currently serving.
Let us not treat this gift as a cheap one. Let us honor the liberty bought for us by men in uniform.
HappyMemorialDayWeekendEveryone!!!
I decided to make a quick theme for this long weekend and leave it up until Tuesday, hence the different header and background!
We all know when Memorial Day is, but how many of us know the true history behind it or even remember why this day is celebrated?
I thought I would share it today, not only for those who have forgotten, but for those like my family and friends overseas who may not know the reason behind this day.
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.
Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.
Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those that attend today’s observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.
To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”
Tens of thousands of names are inscribed on war memorials and headstones all across this country and in a number of overseas locations. From a distance, those names may seem indistinguishable. Yet, every husband or wife, mother or father, brother or sister, son or daughter, who visits, will always see his or her loved one’s name first. This Memorial Day, we also honor and thank them – those who placed so much on the altar of Freedom and for whom the pain of loss remains undiminished.
I thank every single soldier who served and continues to serve this amazing country.
Like Mari's son Andy, Michelle's husband Joe, Courtney's husband Matt, Laina's husband Eric, Christina's husband Dominic, Autumn's husband, Keri's husband Jason, Eden's husband Steve, Andrea's husband Daniel, Niki's husband, Laura's husband Brandon, my friends back here on base....Katrina's husband Joe (currently deployed), Heather's husband Troy, Alicia's husband Stephen and Jen's husband Charles..........
and last but certainly not least....my very own soldier, who I love more than life and am extremely blessed to still be able to thank in person, to his face, something that other families unfortunately can not do.
And I certainly can't leave out my wonderful father in law Doug, who unfortunately is no longer with us. He was a very proud Marine and loved his country!
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service.
Always Remember We bow our heads in silent grace; Proud to stand upon this place. To honor those who we love and lost; Whose lives were taken at such a cost. Through the pain and sorrow, for all the brave and true; To always be remembered by me and by you. To heal the minds and hearts, of those who still live; Always remembering what they had to give. Live your lives with pride in hearing what I say; May God bless and keep you on this and every day.
Mike Baird It's monday and we're supposed to be having a cookout, but we're not, with all this moving and packing we completely forgot to get charcoal and meat etc......oh well, we can still remember the Veterans and say a prayer for those that have passed, their families and those currently serving our country and families too. True Heroes!
I've posted my Menu Plan Monday over at my food blog and if you take a look on my sidebar, I've also added the Menu there, that way you can see what we're eating everyday, I'm not sure you even care but just in case you're curious LOL
But now I have to tell you about my shopping experience the other day, and be prepared because it's a bit of a rant. I decided to go shopping for a bikini *GASP* WHY, why do I do this to myself???
I would love to know who came up with those dressing rooms, who was the genius that invented the bright horrible lighting and the fun house mirrors???? Seriously, they're not fun at all....if you want to feel horrible about yourself then GO buy a bikini but make sure you try it on. There's dimples and bumps and wrinkles in places you had no idea existed and quite frankly I don't believe they DO, the mirrors just want you to believe that. I walked out of there so depressed and scowling at every single skinny hot girl that walked by me, wished burgers and fries on them and ended up NOT buying anything.
Then because apparently the dressing room experience wasn't enough to put me down, my bladder joined in by making me use the public bathrooms, or the GLASS CAGES as I like to think of them. Is there anything worse than trying to go in a public bathroom??? What is up with those doors, I always picture saloon doors, you know the ones that only cover half of your body??? Because that's not enough either, they have huge gaps on the sides, so I've started using my kids as DB's (door blockers), I stick one on one side and the other on the other side and then go as fast as I can.
Nothing like sitting there while someone is washing their hands and smiling at you....embarrassing.
Last night I finished watching the movies I had or "chick flicks" as my hubby likes to say. I watched "The Queen" which was just brilliant, Helen Mirren was outstanding.......I also watched "Marie Antoinette" with Kirsten Dunst which was really good too. I'm a huge fan of any movie during the Elizabethian or Victorian Era's.
Sadly I have none left to watch today, so I guess I'll catch up on my reading, most of my books are already packed away but I do have a few I got from the library to tide me over until the move.
Friday morning we're flying to Oklahoma City for my MIL's wedding, this will be the first time the kids are in an airplane so I'm curious as to how this will go. I think Nicholas will be ok but Jasmine is deathly afraid of heights and has already stated that she will NOT be sitting at a window seat. Any advice on flying with little ones???
I have laundry waiting for me and a house to clean so I'm leaving you with a video clip for this Memorial Day.
