Sunday, May 26, 2013

Memorial Day Tribute


Memorial Day is the day we honor our brave fallen soldiers. 

1971 was the year Memorial Day was established as an official holiday. 

In honor of Memorial Day, there is a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) 



Here are the reasons we honor this day:

Soldiers who died:

American Revolution: 4,435

War of 1812:  2,260

Indian Wars: 1,000 (est)

Mexican War: 13,283

Civil War: 498,332

Spanish American War: 2,446

World War 1: 116,516

World War 11:  405,399

Korean War: 54,246

Vietnam War: 90,220

Desert Storm: 1,948

Iraqi Freedom: 4,422

Afghanistan- Enduring Freedom: 2,286 - ongoing



Our brave young soldiers have not only fought to keep our country free, but have also bravely given their lives for freedom around the world. 

We owe a great debt to these brave men and women. 




Every Memorial Day, my Dear Father placed flowers upon the grave of a forgotten soldier. 

Now that my Father is gone, we have carried on this tradition. 

This Memorial Day we went to our local cemetery to find a forgotten soldier. 



This year we honored Henry W. Martin who bravely served in World War 1. 


And a candidate for our next honored visit, Robert Williams who served in the Spanish American War. 


On the grave of every soldier was placed an American Flag. 

There were many graves with flowers, placed by family members and people like us who wanted to pay tribute. 


From there we take the sweet country roads to Tahoma National Cemetery where my Dear Father now rests. 

He also bravely served his country in the Korean War. 


The fields are full of buttercups, creating lovely scenes. 


This beautiful barnyard caught my eye. 


Its pastures filled with happy cows. 



As we drive into the National Cemetery, we are greeted by our beautiful symbols of freedom lining the drive



This is a busy weekend here and families gathered near grave sites to honor their loved ones.  



We place flowers on my Dear Father's grave. 

I still can't believe that he is gone. 



Our beautiful flags. 


We leave this solemn place and make the long drive towards home. 



The beautiful countryside lifts our spirits. 


This land that our brave soldiers fought for. 



Our recent rains have turned everything green. 

Happy cows graze in waist deep grass. 




America the Beautiful. 




We should never take our freedom for granted. 




As we turn down the last leg of our journey, this beautiful Chestnut tree greets us in full bloom. 



And this Wisteria that has reached the very top of this 100 ft. tall Douglas Fir tree!


I hope you have a lovely Memorial Day. 

Don't forget the moment of silence in honor of our brave soldiers at 3 p.m. ! 

For without their sacrifice, this world would not know the freedoms we now take for granted. 

xoxo

14 comments:

  1. i just love the tradition you have carried on from your father. and beautiful to see the flags lining the drive...

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  2. Thank you for your father's service to us.

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  3. Amen, Karen! My step-father was a pilot in WWII. He was exposed to radiation in the Pacific and was never the same. Very sad. My brother was in the Army during the Vietnam War. I was eight years old an was terrified on a daily basis that my brother would have to go and fight there. Fortunately, he was an instructor and was needed stateside. All our men and women who go and come from war changed in ways that will be with them the rest of their lives. I give thanks to all of our military who put themselves in harms way for us.

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  4. Such beautiful photo's Karen! Thank you so much for posting the number of fallen soldiers of each war. That was so interesting to see. I have visited many Civil War soldiers graves this week. They were so young, so full of promise. I am so grateful for all who have served our country. I am sure your dear father is so proud of you!

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  5. I always love seeing all the flags out. There is just something about it that makes me proud and even a little teary eyed! Just such a powerful statement. Thank you for sharing these photos and the facts about the holiday!

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  6. Dearest Karen,
    What a beautiful tribute to Memorial Day!
    Wish more people would act that way and already by speaking and writing about it is a tribute to all these fallen heroes.
    Your dear Dad did instill a very noble tradition in you all.
    Let us never, ever forget those that gave their lives for the FREEDOM in this world.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  7. Hello Karen
    It's beautiful to see all of you flag ...... Thanks for showing us these beautiful pictures. Wish you a good day / gd new week :) Hugs Hanne Bente ♥

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  8. A lovely tribute and visit to the memorial sites.

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  9. Great tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for liberty and independence.It's our duty !
    Well done Karen!
    Sweet regards, Olympia

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  10. Wonderful heartfelt tribute to your brave Dad Karen, as all the brave soldier's who gave their lives for our freedom... Your dear Dad will be so proud of you...Hugs May x x x

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  11. What beautiful photographs and traditions - truly a wonderful Memorial Day tribute. I never knew the actual count of war fatalities but it's staggering, isn't it? My husband is retired U.S. Air Force and he, too, was surprised when I showed him this post. Thanks so much, Jan

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  12. Beautiful post Karen. Just so moving. Looking at all of the lives that were lost in all of those wars is just shocking. How absolutely wonderful that you honor the forgotten soldiers. What a wonderful tradition. I am sending you a hug because I know that you miss your sweet Dad so much. I have no doubt that he is looking down on you from those beautiful skies that you captured on your drive.....you take care friend....Nicole

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  13. Oh my goodness -- ditto... moving words!!! Isn't a wonderful blessing God has made a beautiful place for us all to enjoy -- and freedoms we still have and when I see the country side the way you have shared today brings to my soul tons more feeling of gratefulness for it all.. I know how it feels to miss ones Dad =( daddy ) we are our daddy's girls... right!! Peace be to your heart..
    Hugs..

    Thanks for sharing your photos.. I enjoy them so much -- seeing your areas of the country is indeed breathtaking...

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  14. A beautiful tribute to our heroes. "America the beautiful" always will be thanks to them. <3

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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