Memorial Day activities...

A few weeks ago, I was part of our VFW group who assisted in placing flags and geraniums on the graves of Veterans at the Graceland Cemetery as part of our County's observance of Memorial Day.  There were several members of our Post who helped with the cemetery activities.

The ceremonies on Memorial Day took place at the Shelby County Courthouse  where our VFW color guard participated with units from other organizations, the Boy Scouts, and various civic officials. 

There were quite a few community people there, but it was, for the most part, an older collection of folks. I wish there had been more young people attending. This is something they need to celebrate and remember and unfortunately, it seems that they aren't.  To many, this day and the sacrifices of those who secured our liberties and freedoms is nothing more than a footnote in a textbook or a three-day holiday.  Too Bad.  With the average age of the people in the color guard picture, they probably look on them and see this as strictly an old person thing.  Too Bad.  If we replaced these older people with soldiers of today's military forces, maybe they would get it.  Unfortunately, these younger soldiers are pretty much like their contemporaries -- they are not organization joiners.  Too Bad.

But, be that as it may,  the weekend was very nice, and it was a great time to charge our patriotic batteries. 

All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
(Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899)

Hooah