Memorial Day

Memorial Day is for memories. After the Memorial Day Parade is finished, the music of the marching band is still echoing in our hearts. The flavor of the first picnic of the season, cold fried chicken , macaroni salad, and hand cranked ice cream is still lingering on out taste buds. The sore muscles from the backyard family volleyball game will heal in time. What is on our mind...

Sitting alone on a park bench was an ancient Green Beret. His lap top was open to a page from Associated Content. He had just read "Twas the Day After Independence Day" by Alban Mehling. (Y'all can read it too @ http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/861639/twas_the_day_after_indepenfance_day.html?cat=7 ) His mind was wondering over the battles he fought. He felt the itch in his feet from marching too many miles in wet boots... It was like that in the days he served in 'Nam. Today his chest was heavy. It wasn't from all the brass he carried on his chest. It was from the ache of loss of too many of his men.

The ancient Green Beret returned to his lap top searching for another memory. Once again he read Arlington, My Memory also by Alban Mehling (Y'all can read it too @ http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/254535/arlington_my_memory.html?cat=9 ) This article reminded the Green Beret of his time in The Old Guard. His years of guarding the Tomb straighten his back with pride. He could still hear the quiet cadence of two guards marching. He could hear the quiet baritone voice of Trace Adkins singing his hit "Arlington"...

This ancient Green Beret had his memories but also related to the many who had fallen before him. The tombstones @ Arlington show a few. The memories of many scream of loss and yet have the pride of service. Y'all can hear about the Spanish American War, WWI, WW II, Korea, Vietnam, etc but until you wore the uniform you can only imagine the true grit it takes..

We all celebrate Memorial Day. We all salute all the have served our country with pride, Past, Present, and Future... God Bless our Troops everywhere. Mizpah ;-}}>