While I do enjoy a good BBQ as much as the next gal, I realized I really needed to teach my son what this day was about. Why we have the day. Why we honor those who have gone before us. So we went to the annual celebration here in town. We walked through the flags, saw veterans from WWII and to current. Saw vehicles that were used in the wars and tours. I talked to him about taking his hat off and showing respect when singing the National Anthem. As he placed his hand over his heart and said the Pledge of Allegiance, I was teary eyed.
I want my son to grow up with the knowledge of why we celebrate the days we do. What makes them important and why he should remember them. I want him to know the sacrifices people have made before him so he can live as he does now. I want him to Keep Memories Alive long after Daddy and I are gone.
I sat there in tears as the war veterans stories were read. When the LTC had trouble reading the first one I knew it was going to be a crying moment for me. I sat and listened how this man was barely 18 when he went to fight in WWII. I listened as they shared how he was caught on the first day of his tour and weighed 140 pounds when he was captured. I had tears flowing as they said when he was rescued he weighed 83 pounds. Yet this man was standing in front of us proudly and with an amazing story to tell.
I just want to say thank you to all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so my family can be free. I pray for the family members you left behind. Please know that we will pass this on to our children. We will not let it go by as just another summer holiday or time to BBQ with our friends. We will stop. We will keep your memory alive!
Awesome post, Jen. I almost became teary eyed reading it. I can picture Jackson placing his hand over his heart. That is enough to make me cry tears of joy.
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