Memorial Day 2007

I'm sitting here, in a few hours it will officially be Memorial Day 2007. What does that mean? How many Americans seriously sit back and reflect on this special day? Are they taking a few moments to reflect on what the day off truly means or are they more interested in the days festivities. Not the tributes, the ceremonies or the moments of silence that SHOULD represent the day but the BBQ's, trips to the lakes and whatever "fun" activities.

What does Memorial Day mean to me? Well honestly, it makes my heart ache. It makes my eyes well up with tears. I remember those who I didn't know who sacrificed, I remember those I did know who sacrificed and I remember those who serve today who sacrifice.

Right now my husband is not home, he's sitting somewhere in the desert in CA, a far cry from where he spent last Memorial Day which was in the sands of Iraq but his sacrifice is still the same. He's apart from his family because of his duty to his country. Memorial day isn't only about the troops who serve but those who stand behind them, supporting them. I look at my boys who sacrifice the little things so that the neighbors down the road can enjoy freedom.

I don't want people who read this to think I want to take anything away from the troops who do sacrifice and I will not compare the sacrifices of my children to those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom but I do want to acknowledge their small contribution to the price of Freedom.

My heart aches daily for those who will not get the Homecoming Ceremony that the majority of us got. I pray for the Gold Star families daily. I appreciate their sacrifice and acknowledge it.

I salute our troops...those who served in the past, those who serve today and those who will serve in the future. God Bless America and those who protect her freedom daily.

The Moving Wall

We had the opportunity to visit the Moving Vietnam wall this past Saturday evening. I was overcome with emotion even as I was simply approaching the Veteran's Cemetary where it was being displayed. I cannot even describe the feelings that I felt. As we walked along the names I was so overcome with emotion. I think since sending Kevin off to Iraq last year I have become even more emotional about our Veterans and our Fallen Heroes from each generation. We also had the opportunity to meet a Gold Star Mother. It was quite interesting as I went through the memorabilia tent once and then we walked around the grounds a bit. Daniel decided he needed to go to the bathroom so we walked back to the porta-potties and I went into the tent again and as I was looking over the items displayed a date caught my eye. April 28, 1969 is the day that Michael Schafernocker was killed in Vietnam. April 28, 2006 is the day we lost our friends Bryant and Jose in Iraq. I don't think it's a coincidence. Mrs. Schafernocker spoke to us for a bit and tears were shed and we took a few pics...it was a very neat experience, one I hope my boys will remember for a long time, if not a life time.

God Bless the U.S.A.

About a week and a half ago we got to go see Lee Greenwood in concert. It was a free concert sponsored by Shiloh Inns here in Killeen. It was an ok concert, the venue where it was held was not the best but it worked. Lee Greenwood himself was great. It was neat for the boys because they have sang so many patriotic songs and are always singing them at the dinner table, it was nice for them to be able to connect a singer to a song. Afterwards it was nice to chat with Lee Greenwood and take a photo, he was very personable and gracious with his time. *Note to self...don't let Michael stand in front of Mom in photos, no matter how much we are in denial about him growing up, pictures don't lie, lol*

Saying Goodbye...

I hate this saying goodbye game. It gets so frustrating but it's our life and we adjust. We dropped Kevin off at 0500 this morning. He'll be gone for 21 days...ONLY 21 days. It's funny, we did 363 days but still this 21 days is crappy too. I think it's the fact that he'll get to come home for 4-5 days and then he's off for another 6 weeks. I am grateful it's just schools and TDY versus a deployment to a combat zone but the kids don't think like that. They just remember how hard it is to be apart. Hopefully I can keep them entertained enough this summer to make it as painless as possible.

Is it sad that I had better communication with my husband while he was in Iraq then I will have with him being stateside the next 21 days?

Oh well..til next time..

Nay

Keeping up on here

Well I've decided to try and keep this blog up to date. After my recent MySpace crash I was upset to have lost some of my blogs (you live and learn). So I will be figuring out life here and going from there.

That's it for now...