Memorial Day 2011

I'll admit it. Like so many other Americans, I used to think of Memorial Day as the beginning of summer, a day off of school/work, a day to go to the lake, have a cookout etc. Well...I guess I still think along those lines, to be honest. But now, as the mother of a soldier in training, this day means so much more to me. It's a day of reflection, a somewhat somber day of sadness, yet immense gratitude, for those men and women who have sacrificed their very lives for the freedoms we enjoy, the liberty we often take for granted. So many thousands of young lives abruptly cut short.... I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the families of these fallen heroes.

This is my daughter's attempt at a Memorial Day cake. The cake is blue. She put red dye in the frosting, but it looks a little pink. :) It says "honor" in red, white and blue marshmallow stars.

Today, I visited Monument Terrace in Lynchburg, VA. This memorial is dedicated to the many fallen soldiers from this area who have given their lives in the service of their country.

Here is the statue at the bottom.

The monument has several (I believe I counted 7) sets of steps.

This is self-explanatory. "You are not forgotten" is inscribed at the bottom. But is this true? Sadly, it seems to today's younger generation (even mine, nearing my 40s), that we do not truly understand the sacrifices.

Here is a portion of the Korean War memorial.

World War II - a long list of fallen soldiers for this conflict...

I visited my granddaughter and my daughter-in-law's side of the family today. Here she is sleeping in her toddler bed.

She finally awoke. :) Chips and french onion dip was her post-nap snack. She is so precious.

Blessings on this Memorial Day 2011,

Lorrie