grandmothersmusings Sitting here at my computer, I can look up at the clouds & watch them scurrying across the sky. Once in awhile, Ill see an open space & then because there is a fast current of air moving them along, the gap between them narrows as a cloud hurries to catch the next cloud.

Memorial Day is to some a day to relax & have fun, but It should also be a day to stop & think about all of those who died in the service of their country & to honor their memory.

As a child, the day used to be called Decoration day. Mama would take us to the cemetary where we would put flowers on the graves of our family members who had passed away. It was established however as a day to remember our veterans & the sacrifice they had made for our freedom. The first time I ever attended a military service, was when I was 7 years old. It was for my uncle who had served in the first world war, so it must have been around 1934. Though he had come through the war, he was dead at a fairly young age, leaving behind a wife & 3 children. We were at the cemetary, where taps resounded & I believe that was when the Honorary rifles fired their salute to their fallen comrade. I still am effected by the sound when I hear it given for someone at their service.

Having live through the turbulent times of WW 2, where footage was always shown in theaters with the news a part of the theater's offering along with the movie, a cartoon or two & the main attraction, & possibly a second feature & the future attraction. Radio & these newsreals were our source of the progression of the war. Now of course we see things "live' on television.

There was such jubilation when VJ day occured & the war was officially ended. It wasn't too long after that two other wars, the Korean, & the war in Vietnam were in progress. Additional wars, the Gulf war & the war in Iraq have added more soldiers to be remembered for their sacrifice.

I hope that we, as Americans will never forget the sacrifice these men who died in the service of our country for our freedom. Our wonderful heros, these, many of them so very young, who gave their all for what they believed in.

I hope everyone will stop for a moment to give them a silent moment of thanks for what they did.