I love living in a small town. Events have a very personal feeling and Memorial Day has always been an important observance in my hometown.
It is a solemn occasion honoring veterans, marked with prayer, speakers, boy and girl scouts reciting famous speeches, bands playing patriotic songs and a parade procession to the cemetery’s war memorial for heartfelt speeches and a gun salute honoring fallen comrades.
As two trumpets poignantly play and echo Taps, children lay flowers on the graves of men and women who have served in the armed forces. It always saddens me to think of young soldiers sacrificed in their prime and the pain felt by those they left behind. Harder still are the ones who return broken in heart and body.
Rather than glorifying war, Memorial Day serves to remind us that peace is our utmost goal and that each of us must work to keep peace in our hearts and radiate it out to the rest of the world. We and our future generations depend on it. May you and your loved ones always walk in peace.
Eliza Waters 
What a beautiful post for such a beautiful day! Thank you for reminding us what is most important. 🙂
Thank you, Ana. As someone said, “This holiday isn’t about beer and barbecue!” Even though we love a long weekend, it is good to acknowledge the ‘why’ behind it. Many blessings to you!
Excellent description and photographs.
Thank you so much, Derrick!
I love your take on what Memorial Day means……
Thanks, Sis! 🙂 ❤
Your photos convey the moving and solemn nature of the day. In gratitude. Thank you Eliza, and I am so sorry to hear about your Lymes flare up. Sending you healing thoughts and hopes~
Thank you, Cindy, for your kind praise. It is not a happy holiday by any measure.
Gratefully, 24 hours into the antibiotic regimen has killed that ‘meat cleaver in the head’ pain & fever. The rest hopefully will disappear in a few days. Thanks for caring! ❤
What a tender post, accompanied by very touching “street photography”. Kudos to you Eliza.
Thank you so much, Micheal. I so appreciate it!
The community feeling one has in a small town is something that can’t be duplicated in a city. Nice post.
Thank you, Judy. It’s like extended family, isn’t it?
Love your photo essay. Especially like and agree with your closing remarks.
Thanks, Ellen. War is hell. I wish I could just wave a magic wand to fill everyone’s hearts with love and understanding. A tall order, I know.
What a beautiful post and photos. I especially agree with your last paragraph. Sending also hopes you feel much much better soon.
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed the post and for the well-wishes, they mean a lot!
Beautifully said, Eliza. Thank you.
Mary
Thanks so much, Mary.
Nice set of shots.
Thank you, Fi. Much appreciated!
Beautiful post, Eliza. Your images are wonderful, and I love your closing remarks about peace. Let it be so.
I hope you’re feeling better today. 🙂
Thanks, Robin, I’m glad you liked the post. As Mr. Gill sung, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me…” It is a place to start.
I am slowly feeling better, thank you, although the meds are rough on my gut. Ah, well, things could be much worse. I’ll take the gift of today!
Your post really touched my Heart, Eliza. My husband is a Vietnam Vet. He has to stay away from anything that reminds him of war. As I do. Yesterday, the FIRST time EVER, he had for the most part, a HAPPY day! OH FOR THE JOY! Usually whenever a holiday associated with Veterans comes along, he withdrawals and he is extremely miserable. Yesterday was a Miracle, which gives me HOPE he is finally moving ahead in his Life! None of us should forget the hell these men and women went through during any war. I live it every day of my Life as I continually see the effects of what war has done to my husband. (((HUGS))) Amy ❤
Thank you, Amy. I am glad to hear your spouse had a good day. I agree, war is hell and its effects last a lifetime. ❤
Great post about what Memorial Day is truly about. Beautiful pictures to go along with it. Most of our local outdoor events were rained out, but we visited my Dad’s grave (20 year military veteran including SE Asia during Vietnam). Local groups had already put flags on the graves of every military veteran in the cemetery. It was an entire sea of red, white and blue! I wish there WAS a way to make people understand that it ISN’T about beer and barbecue! So many folks, especially so many young people, take so much for granted and aren’t raised to respect what the day is all about. So sad.
It is pretty sad about the disconnect that seems endemic in the past couple generations. Perhaps the ease of life, no lack or delayed gratification, they don’t understand sacrifice. Commercial interests don’t necessarily help either. We can only do what we can do, I guess. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, always appreciated.
Very good message about the truth of this holiday. You really have a great eye for capturing moments that are full of expression. I especially liked the one with the Girl Scout.
Thank you so much, Kim. With several family members who have served in the military, I’ve seen the costs of war. Those who have answered the call and given their lives deserve the day and more. It makes me all the more keen on peace.
Well, your post and pictures honored the day beautifully.
Thanks much! 🙂
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Wondering if you saw this:
http://www.inquisitr.com/2106782/opossums-the-unsung-heroes-against-lyme-disease-and-other-tick-borne-diseases/#utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Inquisitr+(Inquisitr:+All)
I hope that link works (and doesn’t throw my comment into spam). I think I need to recruit some oppossums. 🙂
This is wonderful news right when I need it, thanks Robin! I posted it to my facebook and emailed it around to family and friends. I know we have possums around here, but I’d say we need many more!!
As an Army brat whose Dad served in Korea and Vietnam, you know I appreciate this post very much. Thank you, Eliza.
Thanks, Barbara. Are you one of those kids who moved 12 times before the age of 4? 🙂
Ha! Actually we were pretty stable up until the age of four and then all the moving happened. Three different high schools, Eliza! Which was good in a way and awful in others.
I moved to a new town at the end of 7th grade and it was so traumatic for me, I can’t imagine doing it three times in high school when friends and cliques are everything! Well, it made us the awesome women we are today! 😉
Great journalistic images and wonderful Memorial Day tribute!
Thank you so much, Denise!
Oh these really capture the spirit of a small town. Just lovely :-).
Thank you!
Lovely to see another aspect of your life, Eliza. And such thoughtful words.
Thank you, Rebecca!
Great post. It seems timely to remind people of the true intent of this holiday. It has been warped into a couple of ugly manifestations: the alcohol tourism kind of event or perhaps worse the glorification of war event. Your photos are beautiful and completely capture a solemn feel.
Thanks so much Debra. I agree totally!