Then we drove over to Commons Park in Frisco, a five minute drive, to a beautiful park with nice walking trails, a very large playground and a veterans memorial.
This event featured a traditional flag and wreath-laying ceremony, patriotic music from the Frisco Chorale and the Frisco Community Band, and participation from local scouts and Civil Air Patrol Cadets. There were also army trucks, a helicopter and other service vehicles present.
The speaker this year was Lt. Col. (Ret.) Barry Bridger, a highly decorated United States Air Force veteran and survivor of six years in Vietnam’s infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison camp. His speach was wonderful as he talked about love of country, having good character and faith in God. We thought he should run for president. :-)
There were about 500 people in attendance this year and I'm sure as word gets out, it will increase in number every year (at least I hope). It's well worth the hour of the program.
We were quite far in the back but could hear and see fine, even though it doesn't look like it.
My husband, mother-in-law and I thought of my father-in-law as we watched this helicopter take off. My father-in-law served with the Army in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and currently still struggles with PTSD.
This army truck reminds me of my dad as he served with the army in Korea during the Korean War/Conflict. My dad has earned two purple hearts during conflict in war and survived.
I wanted to take the time to thank all those who served in our armed forces and lost their lives so that we can have the freedom that we still enjoy today. Thank you all!!!!!
A little Definition and History of Memorial Day
Memoiral Day - an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead.
Decoration Day: What people used to call Memorial Day. The name refers to the way women and children would decorate the graves of soldiers with flowers and wreaths. Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountains. In cases involving a family graveyard where remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with kinfolk and others. There often is a religious service and a "dinner on the ground," the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea.
May 1, 1865: The first mass observance of Memorial Day. Nearly 10,000 freed slaves, missionaries, and teachers gathered in Charleston, SC to honor the Union dead.
May 30: The day people traditionally celebrated Memorial Day. By 1890, each northern state was marking Decoration Day as an official state holiday; celebrations took place on different days in the southern states.
May 30: The day people traditionally celebrated Memorial Day. By 1890, each northern state was marking Decoration Day as an official state holiday; celebrations took place on different days in the southern states.
June 28, 1968: The day Congress moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend (thanks Congress!). A few veterans groups disapprove and want the date changed back.
3 p.m. (local time): The national moment of remembrance.
From dawn until noon (local time): When the American flag is flown at half staff to honor the dead.
3 p.m. (local time): The national moment of remembrance.
From dawn until noon (local time): When the American flag is flown at half staff to honor the dead.
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