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Hope everyone is having a good Memorial Day.
A few pics from my town's Memorial Day Parade today. Happy to say, there were a lot of folks there.
Local Sea Cadets provided Color Guard Duties as well as greeting each vehicle entering the cemetery with a sharp salute.
Distinguished speakers offered words of praise to the memory of so many veterans who have since answered their eternal roll call.
One speaker, a young US Marine Captain, shared about how all the training and education he has previously received would not prepare him for one of his present duties - USMC Casualty Officer serving the greater Northern San Joaquin Valley. It has been his duty to inform Marine families that their Marine has been killed in action. Sadly, he has had to make that visit to the homes in this area too many times. Four visits just since the first of this year.
Though he never "met" these Marines, he has grown to know them very personally though their personnel files as well as meeting with surviving family members.
He spoke from the heart, which touch the hearts of many in the large 300+ crowd assembled for the ceremony. It was a very emotional time for this Vet.
So much more took place in the one and half hour program, speeches, family members of the 16 members of our Armed Forces killed in Iraq and Afghanistan from our region accepted the condolences and gratitude of all those present.
The Lakewood Memorial Park was adorned with American Flags lining all the lanes through the cemetery as well as a flag on the grave of each Veteran. An awsome site to behold. A scene from today's ceremony...
Good morning, Mayor,
I'm a bit behind the curve (about two weeks), but I have a question about the music at the Arlington Memorial Day service. They played a song during the retiring of the Colors at the end, and though I don't know the name of the song, I do know I've played it a hundred times (25 years ago in Youth Band).
Is there any possible way that you know the name of the song (unfortunately I can't hum it for you), or that you know where I can get a copy of the programme from that service? In Los Angeles, I just don't know who I can ask that kind of question.
Thanks much, and bless you for what you do to remind us here at Free Republic of why we are free.
