Memorial Day wishes

As I wrote the title to this post, on instinct I was going to write "Happy Memorial Day," which is how we greet people on most holidays.  However, I remembered that it is a bittersweet occasion for the families and friends of fallen soldiers, both remembering their loved ones and honoring them for their service.

Yesterday, we celebrated at a barbecue with five veterans of different generations, who had all been blessed to come home.  For us, it was a joyous occasion, and I was fortunate to thank them in person.  To all of you who have veterans in your lives, I send thanks and good wishes to you during this Memorial Day.

We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.   -Francis A. Walker

To those whose loved ones have fallen, I also send my deepest condolences.


Cover them over with beautiful flowers,
Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours,
Lying so silent by night and by day
Sleeping the years of their manhood away.
Give them the meed they have won in the past;
Give them the honors their future forcast;
Give them the chaplets they won in the strife;
Give them the laurels they lost with their life.

- Will Carleton