What Memorial Day Means To Me, Mostly.
Yep, it's Monday and my youngest (she's 6) is beside herself with worry, because our flag isn't up (yet) and she can NOT find anything red to wear!
Anything that's CLEAN, anyway.
You see, around these parts, Memorial Day is the "unofficial" start of barbecue season and, as of today, the beaches in New Jersey are now "officially" open!
Which simply means that the lifeguards are on duty and it's high time we ALL get our beach tags, or better make sure that those season passes are visibly displayed on the dashboard of your car, thankyouverymuch.
This weekend is also when my twin brother and I typically celebrate our birthday (May 28) and then he joined the Army right before we graduated high school and I quickly became accustomed to being an only child.
Until, he almost died.
My brother was deployed a few weeks after his wedding in 2004 and shipped home in a prelude to one of the biggest battles of his life - cancer.
He was lucky and only lost a kidney.
Today, we are driving the kids down to Fort Dix and spending the day with Uncle Bud, remembering that there are families who, sadly, understand Memorial Day to have a very different meaning.
Like, Major Andy Olmsted - he gave his life on January 3, 2008 in the service of others - who I didn't know in real life, yet this man was the inspiration behind Red, White and Blue Fridays.
This was his last post from the front lines.
So, my friends, I hope you all enjoyed the weekend.
Me?
I'm just very happy to be able to spend another year - celebrating the anniversary of our 29th birthday - with my big brother. Yes, he's 3 minutes OLDER than me. But, I'm dedicating a portion of this beautiful sunny day to remembering Major Olmsted and pray for peace; that is all.
[Photo via Rocky Mountain News]
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Happy memorial day! I can't decide if I want to get a beach pass this year. It is my favorite place, but gas is getting so high, ugh! Have a great day!
Posted by: Ginny | May 26, 2008 at 02:43 PM
That's a kickass reason to celebrate the holidays. I'm the only one of my parents' four kids not to go through boot camp, but I still cherish this day on behalf of all of the rest of them. Watching the soldiers solemnly put in the flags at Arlington cemetery made me a blubbery mess. Oh man. Where's the pink lemonade?
Posted by: Cheryl | May 26, 2008 at 06:10 PM
This Memorial Day I took my mom and the youngest daughter for a drive through the national military cemetery in our city. It was quite an experience for them - their first time at such a place. It really drives home how many brave souls have been in so many wars. Really hurts the heart.
Posted by: Linda | May 27, 2008 at 11:28 PM
My father was a member of the Catholic War Veterans. When I was little, my father and I would go to the cemetery and place flags on the graves of soldiers that died in battle. (Or at least several hundred of them that he was designated to cover)
Needless to say, the "point" of the holiday was never about BBQ season for us. While, I try to make it a bit less "work" for my daughter, I still make sure she understands, remembers and appreciates the sacrifices that others have made so that we can enjoy that BBQ.
Needless to say, I am glad you are still enjoying this anniversary NOT as an only child.
Posted by: JayMonster | May 28, 2008 at 09:11 AM