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,