"May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God"
AMEN to that from the great Joyce Kilmer!
For many years now, I honor our veterans on Memorial Day by attending the flag raising
ceremony and then outdoor Mass for Veterans at St Mary's Cemetery. I wear a shirt that says: "If you value your freedom - thank a Vet" and got to thank quite a few Vets yesterday!
The first time I ever went to the outdoor Memorial Day service, it was so beautiful & moving, I was sorry I hadn't attended years before. Yesterday's Mass was just as wonderful - all the local Wellesley, Needham, and Newton Vets come with their families and many, many people from the towns around. It really makes you feel so encouraged to see such a big crowd of people remembering that Memorial Day is not
just about cook-outs!
I always arrive early, park the car & walk to all the Howard graves - Aunt Mary's,
Uncle Joe's, my Grandparent's, and Mom & Dad & brother's. Yesterday, I realized that I'd been coming to the cemetery for over 50 years. As a child, my Dad brought me to water the flowers & I've a vivid memory of the sound of robins singing & leaves rustling in the May twilight. I've been planting all the flowers for over 25 years now & I've also "adopted" the grave of the Rainsford family. Though I never knew him, Mr. Rainsford was a friend and neighbor of my grandfather. His 8 children all died young in their 20s & 30s - and there's no one left to plant flowers, so I honor him for his kindness to my grandparents ( he was a carpenter & helped build my grandparents home).
"May we, their grateful children, learn.." - Indeed, I hope many children are still being taught to honor those who've sacrificed so much - our veterans, our families, & friends.
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