Thank You on Memorial Day

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

This is from my Day Job blog - please indulge me a little bit, as I'd like to share it with y'all....

 

"Please accept this flag on behalf of a grateful nation..."

 

 

My uncle Mike passed away the same day as my mother.  Both were very practical folks and knowing that people would travel great distances to pay their respects, they must have figured consecutive funerals would make it easier for everyone.

 

Uncle Mike was a WWII veteran, as were his 4 brothers, and he was laid to rest at the Veteran's Cemetery in Winchendon, MA on Friday, February 16th, 2007. Mike was in the infantry, went into Normandy on the day after D-Day, and fought in Patton's 3rd Army.

 

At his funeral, I was sitting near my Aunt Gladys - Mike's widow - when a Marine in full dress uniform presented her with a neatly folded flag and, while a distant bugler played Taps, respectfully uttered these words that still give me chills:

 

"Please accept this flag on behalf of a grateful nation..."

 

Uncle Mike wasn't a career military man, nor was he an officer or even an NCO.  He was a grunt, a foot solider, a regular guy living a normal life who was called to serve his country.

 

After the war he settled down, raised a family and became a first rate plumbing and heating professional in a family of plumbing and heating professionals.

 

And he was my Godfather.

 

And more than 60 years later, the nation was still grateful for his service.

 

So no plumbing, heating or HVAC this weekend....just some memories from a grateful nephew.

[Kor.A.Door]

I have come from a long line of military family members, from WWII, to Vietnam, to both gulf wars, we have been fortunate in that with all of the members of the family, around 15 total with grand parents, parents, uncles, brothers, cousins, and nephews (2 currently serving), we have only lost one family member that was in Vietnam my uncle Rodger (my Moms closest brother). Here is a photo that is currently displayed at one of my uncles houses, as my grandma lived with him for years until she passed, and this was displayed there.

[Kor.A.Door]

Here is the photo that didn't attach the first time

[mizuno_lover]

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them

Lest we forget