From A Grateful Nation

On this Veterans Day we would like to take the time to thank all of those who have served our country. We extend our deepest thanks to every man and woman who believed so completly and so deeply in our country that they would choose to answer the call, take up arms and defend our many freedoms.

Thank you, especially, to my father and my brother, as well as to both of my grandfathers (now, 101 and 99) and to my uncles, who all believed so fiercely in this country that they would be willing to risk their lives for it,. It is because of the service of patriots like them that America continues remain a beacon of hope and freedom even in these times of great division.  🇺🇸

An Afternoon Of Service And Remembrance

Today, the girls and I traveled to the Connecticut State Veteran's Cemetery to meet up with my parents and brother and sister to attend the Wreaths Across America wreath laying event being held there. We decided that since we'd all be together that we'd also celebrate Christmas too. A perfect blend of service and family time.

I had first heard about Wreaths Across America after the convoy had passed through the area on the way to Arlington National Cemetery. A quick Google search lead me to the Wreaths Across America webpage and the notion that you could sponsor wreaths to be placed at veterans graves at Arlington or at other cemeteries around the country. As soon as I read that I knew exactly what we'd be doing for my father and brother for Christmas- wreaths sponsored in their names. A little more floating around the WAA website and I learned that they had something called Patriot Pairs. Choosing this option meant that a wreath would be placed on a veteran's grave AND one would be sent to the person who it was sponsored on behalf of. Done! Two Patriot Pairs were ordered (one Army, one Navy) and sent to my father and brother earlier this month.

So, it was because of this that we gathered together (along with a few hundred other people in Connecticut) to participate in this incredible event. It was a beautiful though cold day, and truthfully the speech portion of the afternoon went on much longer than one would have liked given the very cold temperature we were blessed with outside. We were thrilled to know that enough wreaths had been sponsored for one to be placed at each grave in the cemetery (a total of 9,200 wreaths).

Slowly, people began making their way over to the various sections of the cemetery and the piles of wreaths that were ready to be brought to their new homes. Before each wreath was laid, the person's name and rank were read aloud. It was incredible to hear names spoken as we passed by to get or place more wreaths, and it was equally as moving to watch how quickly the cemetery transformed from what it looked like when we first arrived to what you see in the pictures above. This was truly a day we shall never forget. xo 

In Celebration Of Veterans

We gathered this evening to show our gratitude and appreciation for those who have served. For the last three years, our church, along with the other UCC church in Framingham has held a veteran's dinner, and this year we were thrilled to have my parents and brother join us for this lovely evening. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate my father and brother's service, to hear so many stories from those who served, and to have a chance to thank everyone for their service. The food was delicious, the music was perfect and the Missing Man Table (sometimes called the POW/MIA Table or the Fallen Comrade Table) was absolutely moving. Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this evening a huge success! It was a perfect way to end this Veterans Day and we are honored to have been able to be a part of it. xo

On Memorial Day

 In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Major John McCrae 1915

Sunday Smiles: With Thanks

With Veterans Day a week away the Children's Ministry team at our church decided it would be lovely have everyone help create a banner of thanks that will be presented to the veterans of our congregation the following week. The kids really got into it and so did the adults. 

It was great to get to hear everyone's stories. There are so many veterans and families of veterans in the congregation and to get to connect with them for that moment, to get to hear about the wars that they participated in or sent their loved ones off to, was simply amazing. As each person talked, especially if they are part of "The Greatest Generation" you could just see them be transported back to those days. And I do believe, that no matter how many years have passed or how long the person served for, those words- "Thank you for your service"- are always greatly appreciated and wonderful to hear.

On Memorial Day

My brother came up yesterday in preparation for our town's Memorial Day parade today. The girls were walking with the Girl Scouts and we invited him to come along. For those that don't know, Grant is an Iraqi War veteran having served two tours of duty with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell Kentucky. He is also an active member of the American Legion, so as you can imagine stuff like this is totally up his alley! As this was the girls first time marching in a parade it was even more special to have him march along with them too! We are so thrilled that he was able to share in this very special "first". Thanks Grant for coming up and being a part of the festivities!

Here they come!

Hi Girls!

The girls asked Gramma to walk along with them. 

Of course, she said "yes!"