Memorial Day Weekend is definitely one of my favorites.
Whether my family heads to the pool or the beach, there’s always great food involved–one of my beloved pastimes is cooking. (And eating, of course.) To me, it’s also one of the best race weekends of the year. But I’ll get back to the racing in a minute.
Really, though, the weekend is about freedom.
Freedom to sun your buns or grill them. To play softball with your kids or lay on the sofa and watch movies or sports on TV. For some families, they’ll be free to visit a grave and lay flowers.
And the reason we all have those freedoms is because of our armed forces.
Lincoln referred to the dead of the Civil War as giving “the last full measure of devotion.” As human beings (not just Americans, as all countries have a way of remembering their fallen heroes), it’s natural for us to reflect. To think about the past with pride, and maybe even regret. At no time is that more important than this weekend. As busy as we all are, as unstable as the times seem to be, there are those who fight everyday to make the world a better place. And some won’t live to see the changes they sacrificed for.
Those who served in my family and my husband’s did so in the Army, Navy and Marines. Neither of us lost a loved one to war–for which we’re incredibly grateful. But they still put on their uniform and left their homes and families for far-away places, unsure of the future and praying their dedication would preserve their way of life.
Way back, many generations ago, my ancestor, John Reese (born 1809), fought for the South in the Civil War. Fast forward several generations to my mother’s father, Staff Sergeant Phillip Lankford, who was in the Battle of the Bulge. His commander was killed and my grandaddy was left to command his unit and hold his position, which he did–one of the few instances of this occurring.
I’m also proud to claim and thank Captain and Dr. Clifford P. Phoebus (a physician to the Blue Angels), Lieutenant Preston Phoebus, Jr., Commander Richard Phoebus, SEAL-team member Jim Phoebus, Sergeant First-Class Larry Dunn, Tech-Sergeant Robert Dunn, Major David Etherington, Sergeant Cynthia Etherington, and our most recent veteran, Marine Corps medic and University of Georgia Sophomore Joseph Herring, who served two tours in Iraq, one on the front lines.
By the time you read this, I’ll undoubtably be on my way to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coke 600. Besides those attending the race, military personnel all over the world will be honored with a flyover. And though there’s a flyover at every NASCAR event, this one is more solemn and uplifting than any of the others.
As it should be.
Enjoy your freedom this weekend–I know I will. And say thanks to someone who’s served.
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Good Morning Wendy! First I want to say thank you to all of your family members who have served our country so we can be free and live the way we do! My family has alot of military members in it also. My husband is a retired Marine, my Dad was a Marine, my father-in-law was in the Air Force, my uncle served in the Army, I have one brother-in-law who served in the army and another who is still serving in the Marines, my brother served in the Air Force and My oldest nephew became a Marine last year! I am very proud of all they have done and will continue to do to serve our country! And I am still and will always be a Very Pround Marine Corps Wife!!!
Have a wonderful weekend. And thanks again! (*)
Great post Wendy. Tell your family members, “Thank you for your service” for me.
Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend, and remember all those who serve, all men and women in uniform, and those who once served.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
That is a very impressive list of those that have worn a uniform & served our country or are still serving. My family also has those that served my dad & my uncles. My dad was in the Army Air Corps before the Air Force formed, two uncles in the Army and another was a Marine Pilot. Only one uncle is still alive at 93, he only knows his daughter. After WWII he stayed in the reserves until very late in his life, proudly serving. One uncle also served at the Battle of the Bulge. They were all very special men and I am so lucky and proud to have grown up around these men. (L)
Thanks for such a great blog for Memorial Day weekend.
So glad you guys enjoyed the post. Big thanks to all of your honored veterans as well. It’s nice to feel this bond with so many others.
Whoo hoo! Just got the word that hubby’s nephew, Major Adam MacAllister, landed in Colorado Springs today after completing his tour of duty in Afghanistan.
YAY! So glad to hear he made it home ok! Thank him for his service! (*)