Memorial Day

I don't remember doing anything special on Memorial Day until I moved to Kansas. Of course, I still had all of my Grandparents and a couple of Great-Grandmothers at that time so there were no graves to decorate.





After moving to Kansas, Grandma Wood (Goldie) would tell the story of Decoration Day and what it meant. From what I gather it was first used as a day to decorate graves and to honor and remember those who died in service to their country.


These first two pictures are from the cemetary at Logan, KS. Many veterans are buried there. Every Memorial Day there is a ceremony to honor Americans who served their country here and abroad. Often times it is emotionally hard to visit the cemetary during the ceremony.



In May 2000, it was hard - it was the first time my Daddy was among those being honored. Last May in 2008 it was hard because it was the first time I remembered my Uncle Jack not being a part of the ceremony - his health had really failed and he had to sit in the car. In his place my cousin Leland and his son, Eli took part in the ritual in his place.

Even if it is hard, it is an honor to be able to salute the flag and listen to the speeches which make you thankful and proud to be an American.

This memorial is in our hometown. It serves as a daily reminder of the fact that many men and women from Phillips County, KS served our country in the military.

These last 2 pictures are from the cemetary in Agra, KS. There is a ceremony there every year too. My husband's family knows just about everyone, or at least part of their family, who is there on Memorial Day.
Every year the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts go through the cemetary putting poppies on the graves of veterans. Then someone reads the list of names of veterans buried there and the war they served in.

This year was a tough one, my Father-in-law, Lowell Keesee who served in WWII was among the veterans buried there.

I liked Grandma Wood's version of Memorial Day. Not only did she honor those who served their country, but it was a time of remembrance of loved ones gone on. She would tell stories about her mother, her baby who lived such a short time and had lots of curly hair, and it was a treasured time. Many times I would hear a new story that I could recall and even ask someone else about to see what their memories were about that person.

Through the years we took our girls to the cemetary on Memorial Day. We used the time to tell our girls about their great grandparents, uncles, and other family members who were not around for them to know. As time passed, they had stories for during their lifetimes they have lost a great, great grandmother, several great grandmothers and grandfathers, their two grandfathers, and many other friends and family members. They have a rich heritage and many stories to share. It all begins with "Do you remember the time.." or "Have you heard about the time..." and ends with "Yes, I remember..."

Thank you God for family and for memories!