Memorial Day

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays. This hasn't always been the case. The first year Jeremy and I were married, he introduced me to the Memorial Day ceremony in Alta Vista and since then this holiday has been one of my favorites. Let me explain...

Obviously, Memorial Day is the first holiday off from work for what seems like forever... there is likely BBQ (which is the ingredient to any good holiday) and it's really the kick off to summer. BUT what people sometimes tend to forget is that Memorial Day is the day to honor those who have fought for our country in war.

The Memorial Day ceremony at the Alta Vista cemetary is simple, short, and full of meaning. The men from town that are part of the American Legion organize the ceremony and are responsible for decorating the headstones of those who had served in war and put up the flags lining the cemetary.

They had their work cut out for them this year as it was incredibly windy! Jeremy's dad, Richard, is holding the American Flag. I felt bad for those guys as every time a huge gust would come they would look like they would fall over!

The reason why the ceremony is so meaningful is because of the men that are involved in putting it on. These are men that I've known for several years now and Jeremy has known his whole life. I see them "shooting the shit" and gabbing like old guys at the bar but to see them in a serious light and know what they've given to our country makes the ceremony mean a lot more. This is the same for all of those that have given time to our country aross the United States. They are grandpas, fathers and people you cross everyday. People that you may not know have served and don't necessarily advertise that fact. It's people like those everyday men that have given the rest of us the opportunity to live in the world that we live today. And I, for one, am grateful.

David with "Papa Dada" as he calls him. Kinda a funny name but he gets that this Papa is his dada's daddy.