A Slice of American Pie

Memorial Day, Anywhere, USA

Each year I go to my hometown's Memorial Day parade and services.

This year was no different, other than the fact I was missing my Memorial Day partners (my sister Di and my brother in law Al, who were up north for a surprise party this year).  G met me there and we did the usual routine beginning with watching the parade step off.

Then we waited to see Uncle George.

Here he comes.

Ah, there he is! (Korean War, and two tours in Vietnam. Semper Fi!)

The Marine ROTC was sizable this year.

 

Then we get a little pep in our step and marched along with the band.

 

All while continuing to take photos of the brigade of boy scouts, cubbies, girl scouts, brownies and daisies.

And the mounted police.

Then we cut through a side road to meet the parade on the back end once they've made their way through town.  They stop at the Legion Post to lay a wreath at the War On Terror Monument which lists the names of the service people from NH who have died in the War On Terror.

Freedom has the highest price of all.

Then it's on to the cemetery, where my parents stand at the gates, among the crowd that amasses there. (That's Dad amongst the flags- who served during the Korean War).

Waiting to salute and applaud our servicemen and servicewomen.

 

Then it's into the cemetery we go for Memorial Day services, which of course starts with the Anthem.

And of course recognition for our soldiers. That's U. Norm in the plaid. One of only a handful of WWII vets left who were present. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

 

We always have a featured speaker, this year Rear Admiral Thomas Richards, Navy Seal (ret), who's impressive 30 year career resume was longer than his speech!

 

The junior high girl's chorus, including sister Di's neighbor girls Jamie and Samantha (who is in high school and got called to 'stand in'), sing God Bless America and the crowd joins in.

Then gun salute, led by Uncle George and carried out by fellow members of Legion Post 35 (including our amusing pal Warren to U. George's left).

 

Heads are bowed, and I shed tears Taps is played, considering the huge sacrifice some have given for their country and freedom.

After the services conclude we get to say hello to some of our favorite Veterans.

As Mom and Dad say hi to their pal, Uncle Norm, G greets Uncle George coming up the rear.

It was not dissimilar to other years. A chance to pay homage to those who weren't so lucky and didn't come home.


The rest of our weekend was spent getting groceries at Trader Joe's followed by lots of yard work.  It's looking better out there in the back 40, but there is a long way to go.  So much to do, so little time. We fit in some war movies as well, some skyping with friends and family,  I baked an eggplant Parmesan and yesterday we smoked a chicken.  All in all, a full weekend.

I hope you enjoyed yours.

And when someone asks you how you're doing today, tell them 'excellent'! That's Uncle Norm's advice to his fellow residents at RiverWoods. I think it's worth repeating. Excellent!

Ciao for now,

Dateline: Everytown, USA

 

Memorial Day: My Hometown

 

Every Memorial Day I drive 10 minutes East to my hometown, Hampton, NH. I meet my sister and brother in law at their house, and most of the time others arrive- this year my nephew and his son Cayden (below)- and we all set off together on foot. Parade bound. 

 

 

We have our usual spots at the beginning of the route. 

 

 

This year, the parade was led by a Pearl Harbor survivor.

He was followed closely by our local veterans, including Uncle George (1 tour of Korea, 2 in Vietname) in the jeep, the Winnacunnet High School Band who played songs for each branch of the service this year, and of course the Boy Scouts, the Cub Scouts and the Girl Scouts.

Then we pep step it to High Street to meet the parade on the other side, and watch them lay the wreath at the War On Terror Memorial at the Legion.

Onto the cemetery for the Memorial Day services.

That includes the Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, a speaker, the anthem, recoginition of the veterans by war and branch (that's Uncle Norm second from left....he and the man to his left are both WWII veterans), the junior high chorus singing God Bless America......

....readying the little ones for the gun salute (that's my Dad who served during the Korean War, my niece, her daughter Sophia and Cayden again), Uncle George ordering the gun salute, Taps (which always makes me cry....well, this year I was tearing up at the start of the parade thinking of what the Pearl Harbor survivor must have witnessed. What can I say.)......

the tolling of the bell for each war, followed by the closing and the obligatory mingling.

Uncle Norm wanted to talk to the young recruit who particpated this year. 'Semper Fi Brother'.

And then, a closing shot of two of my favorite marines, before walking back to sister Di's for a BBQ with family and friends and to to enjoy the freedoms so many have fought for, and for which too many have died.

We were so glad to see the sun finally come out, just in time for Memorial Day.

Sunset Meadows

The day ended on a brilliant note. The sunset was blinding.

It was a good day.

Did you get to enjoy a long holiday weekend where you were? How'd you spend your time? Even though it rained, we still got a campfire in Friday night. A little rain wasn't gonna keep us down.

Have a great day.

Ciao for now,

This Is My Country & Freeform Friday

Memorial Day Rewind

Hi guys. First I'd like to say thank you to all of your for your kind words and sentiments on the death of our dear friend Cindy. It means quite a lot and always helps.  How sad that so many of you have also suffered some very diffucult losses, but I guess that is something we all have in common in the end, isn't it.

Yesterday was an especially hectic day and boy am I glad that's done and this week for that matter. Well, almost. Still work on the plate, but oh how I love Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Playing a little catchup today. Didn't get a chance yet this week to post our Memorial Day. On of the things I love about the pictures I take each and every year at our parade and services, are that they could probably be any town in the good old U. S. of A.

We walk uptown in time for the start. (OK, I was late this year, but I still hoofed it uptown and finally caught my group right at the beginning of the parade).

The engines lead and the kids wave.

(Nephew Matt, friend Charlie's grandson Cayson, my great nephew Cayden, and Charlie's grandaughter Makenna, sister Di and bil Al in the back.)


Veterans of all ages step off for the march through town.

Uncle George riding co-pilot in the jeep.

More firefighters.

The Marine's marching with colors. Nice unison on the step, eh? You'd think they'd practiced or something.

My high school's band sounding the call.....'This Is My Country'.

Then the boy scouts, the cub scouts, and of course the girl scouts too. (Hi back Sammy).

The laying of the wreath at our town's War On Terror monument.

Applauding our veterans.

Marching along following the parade. That's the way we roll. More bang for your buck. More parade, more exercise......

...more friends and neighbors along the way (hello Roys).

Mom and Dad ready for services.

Benediction. Playing of Anthem. Terribly sad stories of war time friends and family lost.  Laying of wreath. Taps and tears, well at least on my part. Always. Pledge of Allegiance in closing.

Jaunt back to sister's house for Memorial Day BBQ with family and friends.

(Uncle Norm, who served on Guadal Canal and fought in the Pacific Campaign, including Bougainville, in WWII  and Mom.)

Decked out in red,white and blue to celebrate all the wonderful things and ideals that our service people have fought for including freedom, and against, most notably...tyranny.

(great niece Sophia aka punky brewster)

Sound and look familiar?

Freeform Friday

There could be no other freeform Friday this week. It's a double shot for my pal Cin. Man do I miss her. Click here if you're reading by email.

And click here too if you're reading by email.

It's sunny today, but there is supposed to be rain moving in for the weekend. I'm ok with it. I haven't even done Spring cleaning and it's almost Summer, so maybe I'll get some of that done. I know, it's sounds thrilling, yes? I hope you have bigger plans for your weekend. What's on the docket?

Thanks again for your kindness this week. You guys rock.

Be well,

Simply Remember

The Memorial Weekend Plan

My plan on Memorial Day is always to simply remember.  I think it's extrememly important to remember those who have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Think of that. They've given their lives.

As this weekend begins, let's pay respect to those we have lost through all wars, those who served beside them, and our servicemen and women who serve today. As I see so many people still being oppressed around the world, I think it is fitting to make time, not only to remember those lost, but to enjoy our hardfought freedoms. Otherwise it would all be for naught.

Say thank you to the veterans in your life and those you meet who you may not know.

Here's to those in mine.

Here's my Mom with my Dad and my Uncle Norm a few years ago. My Dad was lucky. His engineering skills kept him on US soil during the Korean War, my Uncle Norm, not so much. He served during WWII and survived Guadal Canal and the Pacific campagin. He witnessed horrific things.  His wife Auntie Auggie, who we lost a few years ago, served as a nurse in WWII.

Then there's Uncle George, behind Col. Lessard (who we just call The Col), in the jeep.

If I remember right, I think Uncle George may have done one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. Wish I could say he made it home in one piece, but he didn't. He survived a horrible injury, but you'd never know it today. He leads the gun salute at the cemetery every Memorial Day.

Then there's my favorite Navy man. My godfather Boski, who I really miss.

Here's to all of you servicemen and women. I will never forget the sacrifice of those who didn't come home or those who were willing to serve their country.

Our Memorial Day plans are to do some stuff around the yard. I have work to get done first, but I sure would like to dig in the dirt in the next few days. I'd love to plant some of our vegetables and my window boxes. Beyond that, I'll attend the parade and services in my hometown on Monday, and then back to Di and Al's for a BBQ. Later that day, we'll pop over to our neighbors for another BBQ. There is always something going on in the hood. If the weather holds out tonight, burgers on the grill and a campfire out back are on the agenda, which sounds like the perfect way to enjoy our freedoms. 

What are your plans for this Memorial Day weekend and unofficial start to summer? What's happening in your corner of the world? 

ttfn,