Yesterday at Ft. Collins, Colorado, several of my close friends held a special memorial service for Dennis Hay, whose burial at Arlington National Cemetery I wrote about several months ago.
http://whiterhinoreport.blogspot.com/2005/10/resting-place-of-dead-has-something-to.html
This week, in Maryland, my friend, 1st LT Robert "Sly" Seidel, will be laid to rest.
The Hay and Seidel families are two among thousands of families for whom this Memorial Day weekend will be about much more than BBQ, beaches, parades and time off from work.
Each community traditionally holds a Memorial Day parade and special memorial service at a local cemetery. In my experience, these services are often sparsely attended.
I have a request and a suggestion. Amidst all of the busyness of this weekend, if you are able to do so, stop by a local cemetery, find a family that is placing flowers on a grave that is emblazoned with an American flag, and thank that family for the sacrifice they have made. Thank them for the service that their son, daughter, husband,wife, father, mother performed.
It won't help to bring their loved one back, but it may take some of the sting out of a tough weekend of remembrance and loss.
And remember to pray for those who still serve.
God bless.
Al
No comments:
Post a Comment