Part and parcel of Memorial Day celebrations around here include the local parade and memorial service at a cemetery. The boys march in the parade with the Scouts, then have a part in the service before officially retiring any flags that are too old or damaged to fly any more.
This is a special day. First we wait for the parade. Both the Captain and the Manager decided they had to sit on a lap instead of on the curb. Hubby did a good job managing two wiggly boys while I snapped pictures of unsuspecting victims.
Leading the way each year is a group of military folks, both retired and active duty.
Following right behind are the Scouts. Aren’t they handsome??
After the parade, everyone heads over to the cemetery for the service. The program this year didn’t differ much from last, but that didn’t detract from the meaning of the words one bit.
I don’t know which poem recited by the local high school students is my favorite. This year I was particularly moved by the poem We Shall Keep the Faith, written in response to the very famous poem Flanders Fields.
We Shall Keep the Faith
by Moina Michael, November 1918
Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.
And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.
To all who have served or are serving in the armed forces……
Thank you.
From the bottom of my heart.
Earnest Parenting: help for parents who are so grateful.
Hi Amy,
A really nice post and a wonderful poem, thank you for sharing. A vyer sensitive remined that we owe the armed forces so much.
Hi Lance, I’m glad you like it! My boys will think I’m silly but that one makes me cry every year.
Great tribute, and excellent photos. Thanks 🙂
Hi Joel, thanks. It was a very cloudy day, which is my favorite kind of day for picture-taking. The colors come out so much better on cloudy days.
We don’t celebrate Memorial Day here, but have Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday in November. Whilst there are parades, they tend to be centred around churches or war memorials and don’t get the degree of support they deserve. Nice to see your whole family taking part.
David, we have a remembrance day in November as well, called Veteran’s Day. Memorial Day here is both about soldiers and other lost loved ones, and traditionally folks go and decorate graves of family members with flowers for the year. The celebrations tend to center around veterans and soldiers, especially in war-time. Sadly this parade didn’t get as much attention as last year. We had time to see all of it then drive around to the cemetery only to see the whole parade again. Hopefully it’s just because of the threatening weather that many folks pulled out. Last year we barely made it to the memorial service on time because the parade was so much bigger.
Wonderful and Thanks Amy. You took some great pictures and that was a wonderful poem. Here in Colorado it turned out to be a beautiful to honor all those who have died so we are free.
Thanks Amy that was wonderful!
Debbie
Debbie, I’m glad you had a beautiful day! It actually brightened up here for a while, and honestly it couldn’t have been nicer for the parade. We had shade for the service, then sun for the afternoon a bit before the rain at dinner. By then it was time to retire to the basement for a lovely evening of family time. I declared myself done for the day and got on my pj’s and snuggled on the couch in front of the TV. Heavenly!
I appreciate anyone who remembers the sacrifices of others, be they in the military or on the home front. I was drafted into the Army and later served as a Naval medical services corp officer,I appreciate anyone who remembers my comrades who fell in service to their country. Thanks for your commentary and for sharing your experiences.
Bruce – it’s not just the ones who fell that we remember…it’s all of you. Thank you again for the time and service to allow the rest of us our freedoms.
Dear Amy –
Loved the pictures.
We are big on the scouts in our family. Anytime I see a testimonial to them it brings tears to my eyes -not only about the scouts but the selfless parents that keep this tradition going.
My son was a Cubmaster and is now with the Boy Scouts.
I have seen the effect on these young people. It is a example that lasts their whole lives. It involves a lot more than tying knots.
My late husband was an Eagle Scout..
.-= Corinne Edwards´s last blog ..A PUBLISHING DEAL – YAY! – now what? =-.
Hi Corinne, I’m so glad you liked the photos! You’re right, Scouts are wonderful and I’m really pleased with the growth I’ve seen in the boys over the years. It’s a wonderful organization.
these are the wonderful photos of the parade.
You have captured the day perfectly. As others say, great pics. I love the one with the Scouts holding the flags (by the cemetery).
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Search Engine Optimization Is Easy And Cheap =-.
That’s nice way to appreciate the scouts i like it.
Your blog template design was awesome.
Hi Amy:
What a great poem and beautiful tribute!
What a great poem and tribute to those who dedicate themselves to serving our country!
.-= Tina@RideonToys´s last blog ..The Disney Princess Girls Bike Is The Prettiest 16″ Ride For Girls =-.
What a great and inspiring post for such an incredible day.
Krizia
The poem is very touching! Thank you. We don’t really celebrate Memorial Day here — aside from having the day off from work and a three day weekend for the kids — so this was a great reminder of what Memorial Day is truly about. The pictures are great too! I loved the candid shot of the boys.
Thanks again!
Thank you, Amy… and I agree with Bruce:
It’s wonderful to see people appreciating the sacrifices of others.
Amazing all the things that had to take place… just for any one of us to be here.
keep smiling,
Benjamin
.-= Benjamin´s last blog ..Guest Post at AnmolMehta.com… =-.
This is such a lovely post, and a great way of remembering.
.-= Jen @ Blog writing services´s last blog ..Tongue-twistingly terrible typos… =-.
We have so much to be grateful for, and Memorial Day with it roots in the Civil War has a special place and significance. I love the poem you selected – “to rise anew.”
A really nice post and a wonderful poem, thank you for sharing. A vyer sensitive remined that we owe the armed forces so much.i like it so much…
Even a few days later, your tribute still has impact. Seems like as I get older Memorial Day means more to me. It used to be just a good day off. Thank you for reminding us to take the time to acknowledge the day and the sacrifices our military and their families make.
hello amy!
what a great poem,it is a very touching poem..The pictures are great too!A great way of remembering.Thank you..:)
Such great photos! What a beautiful day and ceremony. Living in Colorado Springs we have a lot of service people, but a small memorial day celebration. Weird
What a great way to express ones gratitude to others.
Beautiful photos and poem! We must also remember so many walking wounded among us as well. So many lives shattered in them and their loved ones for their sacrifice. Thank you again for the beautiful poem.
A nice poem to commemorate an important and Inspirational day for all of us. Thanks for sharing it and the pictures 🙂
A really nice post and a wonderful poem, thank you for sharing.
A really nice post and a wonderful poem, thank you for sharing. A vyer sensitive remined that we owe the armed forces so much.
Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
Really very nice poem and good post..i like it
thanks for sharing this to us..:)
Amazing! nice post and good poem,i like it nd enjoyed it
thanks for sharing this poem to us
awesome poem,really very nice…thanks for sharing this to us
nice post dude!
Hi Amy,
Sorry I think I missed this and so went up here so late. I liked the pictures you’ve included in this post. Everyone seems happy even though it’s a bit tiring ceremony and these 3 guys of your life look so happy as well. 🙂
This will serve as good reminder for our great soldiers. 🙂
Thanks,
Tyrone
Hello Amy,
i would like to say thank you for sharing this cool blog and poem,really very awesome post..
good job,keep it up..