LEAST WE NOT FORGET

“…gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime….let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, -- the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.”

–General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 may 1868

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades.
Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868
The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.


*by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
*by visiting memorials.
*by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
*by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
*by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
*by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.


The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice: (pictures courtesy of my camera Dec. 08 Washington DC) LEAST WE NOT FORGET.....have a safe weekend my friends.

We Can NEVER Have Enough of IT

Please click on each photo to read the inscriptions

MONDAY THOUGHTS on tuesday!

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
 Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
Albert Schwietzer

Yesterday I got into work at noon so I didn't have a lot of time to ponder or even look at my blog or visit anyone elses for that matter. I spent the weekend up North with my son and his family. A 4 hour drive each way. I decided to spend Sunday night and get up early, skip a few hours of work and drove in Monday early and got to work at noon. It actually was a wonderful drive early in the morning. I snapped a few pictures on my cell phone because I had "exhausted" the battery on my camera over the weekend taking pics of the grandkids! lol A few blogger friends have asked to post pics of beautiful Utah. I have to tell you....Utah is so diverse.
You can drive for 30 minutes and your surroundings will change completely. From desert to rolling hillsides of sand dunes to mountains of pine trees and into hundreds of acres of farm land. I was totally into the drive yesterday morning! I have taken this drive many many many times before but the early morning drive was quiet and very peaceful. Here are a few pics, from inside the drivers seat! > OOPS! had a little heavy foot on the pedal! My car drives so smoothly....I just didn't notice! I did slow down after I took this pic!

I take the "back" way home. Less traffic...for 2 hours it is a 2 lane highway that goes on forever it seems and the scenery is very different than the Interstate drive.




After 2 hours of what the pictures seem boreing, (it actually was very beautiful and peaceful) I entered the real drive....be on your toes drive...watch out for cars and not deer drive....

The drive through the mountains is always breathtaking...and the air smells soooo good!

and then after 4 hours I had arrived at my final destination. HOME. I will post pics at a later date of the beautiful red cliffs of this beautiful area and town.

TOO BIG!

Just a little snippet of our youngest...Koltyn just turned a year last Saturday May 9th. He is such a doll. His daddy just loves this boy to pieces. Just getting to the point where he is thinking about walking, but gets around faster on all fours. Just wanted to share some cuteness today! Babies are absolutely the best aren't they! Koltyn wasn't feeling all that well on his special day at the park. Teething and all. But of course Papa couldn't let the day go by without letting Koltyn smear his little hands into the frosting and all over his mouth and face. For some reason my short clip of Koltyn taking his first few steps will not download. Only us Grandmothers and mothers like watching these anyway....(sigh) lol. Gotta love it!