Aww…some Monday
Memorial Day was originally intended to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. It has evolved into a day of remembrance for all who have passed on. Friday, we made a three hour drive to visit the grave sites of my parents, maternal grand parents, my great grand parents and a few other family members in Henryetta, OK.
While walking among the headstones, I found this brother and sister monument and the story tells us that he was killed in France during World War I.
Three generations of my family are at rest in this cemetery.
I even found the doctor who brought me into this world!
Monday’s Music Moves Me
The theme this week at 4M is freedom of choice, so I may mix it up just a bit. Since this is Memorial Day, I do feel the need for something a little patriotic.
Driller's Place 
This is indeed a weekend to remember those who gave all, but, in my heart, I expand this to include the veterans who struggle with PTSD, suicidal impulses, drug and alcohol abuse,and homelessness. Some indeed gave all, and the country genre says it the best, in my opinion. Alana ramblinwitham
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I could not agree more with your assessment of those who need to be given all honor and respect. While their lives may have been spared, a great deal of the joy in life has been denied young men and women who had so much to live for. Too often the federal government sit in marble buildings, behind walnut desks and send young men and women to war that has no real purpose or an exit plan. I am proud of my military service in Vietnam, but the question remains, “What was the purpose?” I don’t know if there is a good answer to that question.
You are right, since country music is known for story telling it is the best genre for giving respect and honor to those who have served and given the last full measure of devotion. I am blessed beyond belief. I came home from Vietnam with a sound mind and body. I have had an agent orange related cancer, but it has been cured and I am a healthy as can be expected for my age. I am living proof that there is a God of all creation that watches over His children and gives them a testimony of His presence in their life.
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I pray you have a blessed Memorial Day.
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I have a blessed life and regardless of how my Memorial Day goes, I will still be far more blessed that I deserve. May you and yours have a safe and happy celebration.
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I love cemeteries, even those where I don’t know anybody buried there. Lots of stories and things to wonder about plus I have found that googling some of the names can give some surprising results.
The little cemetery in Dubois, Idaho has lots of people from my mother’s side of the family going back a couple or more generations.
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There is indeed a story on every tombstone, if we just read the details.
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Cemeteries are fascinating places and one can learn a lot from them. We visited one in Iowa where a lot of our family has been buried since they came over from Sweden a couple generations ago. It’s amazing how you can find people you have heard about or known so many years later and your doctor find is really interesting.
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Finding the doctor’s headstone was a complete surprise.
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What a wonderful tribute to your family. You made me smile. I need to do this very thing too.
Love the videos. I agree that we need to honor those that gave their all, but we also need to respect and care for those that are here and need help. Far too many are forgotten.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week, my friend. 🙂
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It was a three hour drive so it may be awhile before we do it again.
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Wow, that is some serious family history there. Thanks for sharing it.
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There were some new discoveries for me.
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my dad and I loved going to cemeteries and I wondered and still wonder, about their lives. I feel badly for the parents, if still alive, who lost 2 children in a month of each other. The boy, in WW1 and their daughter, I am assuming, from the flu pandemic. We must remember the soldiers, civilians, the cops, firemen and first responders who risked their lives and some lost, sadly. My dad fought in WW2 was part of the liberation of Holland, fought on the Rhine and was wounded during the battle in the Reischwald Forest. My mom was German, saw her 1 yr old brother die in her mom’s arms, her older brother shot by the Russians, after the war ended while recuperating on a hospital, was in Hamburg and Dresden when bombed, saw her dad taken by the Nazis to a Concentration camp, was part of the German Resistance and laid dynamite under bridges to stop the Germans. After the war, a new hell of rape, brutality and starvation by the Russians. My mom escaped to the West and in 1956 moved to Canada where she met my dad in 1959. My dad always said, if there is another war, he would hide my brother way up north. You are a vet from Vietnam and I gave nothing but respect for you and all other vets you had to deal with the young people here, who treated you with disrespect when you came back. That is horrible to me. My dad told me, when he came back, once the hoopla left, he was called a bum for fighting over there. I was shocked and read up on this and many soldiers were, indeed, treated poorly after the 2nd WW ended. A brilliant film about returning vets is ” The Best Years Of Our Lives” I hope you gave seen it.
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War has an impact on everyone in very different ways. I think because I came home to a smaller city, in the Bible belt, I was not mistreated by others. Most of the upheaval was reserved for the east and west coast (some things never change). There are those who will always have an agenda and are just looking to spew their hate on others. People need to understand, a soldier does not pick his adversary nor the battle he is required to fight. He/she is given a mission and expected to complete the assignment even if sacrificing his/her life is required. When the time in the service is done and the soldier re-enters civilian life, they have every right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness without harassment from those who have no concept of the battlefield experience and have relied on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and mainstream media for their version of the truth.
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I remember as kid how the old country churches held a decoration service every Memorial Day weekend. They’d do a big dinner near the grave site after the preacher spoke which often was a bit winded. lol Country music convey best how we all feel about those who have lost their life fighting for our country. I read through some of your responses and you’re so right, about the decision to send our troops into battle where we shouldn’t be or have no clear plan to leave quickly is unacceptable. Unfortunately politicians use war as a means to get elected or stay elected all too often and the greatest cost is a the expense of the innocent. Have a blessed week, my friend and thanks for joining the 4M party!
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