Remembering Those Who Gave All

We celebrate Memorial Day today in the USA.  It's a day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in military service to our country.  My father served, so did Dayle and his father too.  Had they not returned I would not have been born, nor my younger sister, nor all three of my children, nor Dayle or his two younger sisters.  We always go to visit my dad's grave and clean the bronze marker as it always needs cleaned and shined up.  He is buried in Evergreen Memorial in Vancouver, Washington.  It's very pretty there and well taken care of.

Every year the Boy Scouts put in flags at each marker in the military section.  

We took the boys with us as we had them this day and I was glad to bring them as I think it's a good thing that they learn to remember their family no longer with us.  

I arranged the flowers we brought while Dayle showed the boys how to clean the marker.

I heard a familiar voice across the way and called out to Jeannie, my Dad's kindly neighbor who looked out for him for years and years.  Our son Shawn bought Dad's home after his passing and Jeannie was a good neighbor to him and his family, too.  Travis and Kristi even lived there for almost a year and she took our two little grandsons under her wing.  When she saw the boys, she was amazed at how much they'd grown over the last 6 years and how handsome they'd become.  We filled her in on our family news and asked about hers.  It was very good to see her.

With the flowers just so, the marker shined up, Dayle put the US and Marine flag back into the ground.

I snapped a photo of the guys.

I talk to Dad when there, tell him everything that's happened since our last visit.  I like to think he's watching over us and knows we visited.

My cousin Ed on Facebook posted this photo of my Dad in uniform which is neat as I'd never seen this one.  Dad was drafted into the service during WWII and during the induction a Marine officer came in and picked out the guys he wanted and that's how Dad became a Marine.  61,000 US soldiers fought on Iwo Jima. Dad's own troop went on the first wave on Iwo Jima, approx. 240 men, and only 17 walked out not killed or wounded.  Dad was sent to Japan after surviving that.  He was a gentle and sweet farm boy and was a kind and loving father.

My dear husband Dayle served in the US Army as a officer and helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.  He was shot while flying a scouting mission and spent a year in the Army hospital, 5 months in traction while his femur tried to knit together then he was put in a body cast for 2 months.  He's thankful that they saved his leg although it's one inch and 5/8s shorter than the other leg.  His 3 kids and I are happy he made it home.

  
Dayle's Dad also served in WWII in the Army in Philippines working in the base post office.

I hope you all will share with me a moment of thanks for those who have fought for freedom for all our countries around the globe.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)