Memorial Day…a day of honor and remembrance…

Private Lars (Loree H) at the gravesite of 80 Indiana soldiers
Gettysburg National Cemetery - Gettysburg, PA
Photo by Eric Huebner 

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We’re less than a week away from the Memorial Day holiday weekend that kicks off the summer season. I can’t believe how fast it’s upon us already.

When I was a kid, the holiday was a morning of going to the gravesites of family members who had passed on and decorating the graves. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a picnic or cookout with aunts, uncles, and cousins. I also remember watching old war movies with my dad and brothers. We would always watch the classics, The Longest Day, Sands of Iwo Jima, along with all the John Wayne-John Ford cavalry movies that happened to be on TV.

I’ve got to say, I love this holiday. We celebrate it differently now that I’m older and have my own family. My hubby’s birthday falls very near and sometimes on the actual holiday, so we have a double celebration all weekend long. It’s a three day event of visiting family and friends, cook outs, and outdoor activities. I also keep the old family traditions and visit a few graves of loved ones, along with watching a good war picture such as, Saving Private Ryan, Gettysburg, or Glory, at some point over the weekend.

As Civil War reenactors, our units are usually called to come shoot a volley, or partake in a cannonade at a few local Memorial Day services for those who have given so much for our freedom.

I always feel so honored to be a part of these events at cemeteries and courthouse squares. We not only salute the Civil War soldiers, but ALL AMERICAN SOLDIERS and VETERANS, who sacrificed and gave so much of themselves for our freedom. I always get extremely emotional during the speeches and the salutes...especially, when TAPS is played. As a proud American, I have freedom that I wouldn’t have otherwise, if not for them. I take a moment, under God...to say:

THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!

I salute and thank all the good men and women who serve our country, guarding us and our freedom…during war time or peace…now and back then. Huzzah! I remember and salute the ones who were fortunate to make it back after war. Some came back from war with painful memories and shell shock. Some came back without arms or legs. Some didn’t come back. I take this day, under God...to remember all of you…

This year, Eric and I plan to march in a parade on Monday morning with our artillery unit. Even though it’s not our hometown, I look forward to a good old parade for the awesome people in a lovely Indiana town near South Bend. We've also been invited to shoot a few volleys during a special Memorial Day program at the courthouse in Porter County with our infantry unit.

How are you spending the holiday weekend? Got any special plans? How did you spend the holiday when you were a kid? I would love to hear from you.

Have a great and safe holiday weekend!  YAY SUMMER!

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree    

Private Sven (Eric H) in Gettysburg National Cemetery
Gettysburg, PA
Photo by Loree Huebner

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the town of Joplin, Missouri, and all the American towns ravaged by killer tornadoes this spring. We keep you close in our hearts.