Half-Staff 2012

There are loads of fun places to be on a holiday, where the smiles are a mile long, and the laughter is as infectious as the mosquito bites are itchy.

A great part of the populace climb out of bed on Memorial Day, prepared to spend the entirety of it in the company of good friends, with good food, and as much frolicking and festivity as they can cram into it.

Old Glory still leaves me in awe, whether flying at the top,
half-staff or half-mast.
I hope one day it will be able to fly again, in representation
of the free Republic it was meant for.

However, for many, before the festivities begin, they gather every year to spend some time in contemplation and expressed gratitude as they remember to pay honor to the military veterans who have marched their last march, taken their last order, and made their last stand.

Here in the United States many of us are blessed to have privileges we exercise every day because of the sacrifices made on our behalf by our military.  Young and old, men and women, many of those are no longer with us to enjoy the day with family and friends.

Some consider it a responsibility to remember their lives, and their sacrifice, and regard it as time well spent, to remind ourselves to be vigilant in protecting our freedoms, to be thankful for what we have, and to remember that it has cost many their last breath to provide it for us.

For those who gathered this year at Laurel Land Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas to honor those who gave so much for the rest of us, I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to you for being there, and to those who attended every other Memorial Day observance wherever you may have been.

These gentlemen sat in the heat, without shade, for the entire ceremony before giving the gun salute at the end.
Bravo, guys ... you were stunning. :)

It's one of those gatherings that never ceases to choke me with sadness and yet fill my heart with gratitude and pride for our veterans.  With Old Glory snapping in the wind, at half-staff, and the fast jets rocketing over heads, piloted by the 301st Fighter Wing Team of the NAS Joint Reserve Base, I was again amazed at the wonder and privilege it is to be a part of such a great people.



Lt. Col. Lane Beene, USAFR (center - in the jumpsuit)
flanked by attending members of the U.S. Marine Corps
League - Longhorn Detatchment.

Lt. Col. Beene visiting with guest before the
ceremony.

Lt. Col. Lane Beene, USAFR, 457th Fighter Squadron of the Joint Reserve Base Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, shared with us the news of the tragedies involved in heroism that many veterans have succumbed to.  And yet, though tragic, to remind us that they gave their lives selflessly, to save the lives of others.  The Lt. Col. has been deployed to serve in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Italy, Chile, Germany and Spain, and to date, has accumulated over 4,000 flight hours during his service time.

Glenda Rader of Laurel Land, and a member of the
Marine Corps League - Longhorn Detatchment

In about a month, Old Glory will be sharing air-space with cascades of color brought on by fireworks as we celebrate Independence Day.

Amidst the bangs and booms of the larger displays, sparkler-wielding kids, the food on the grill and the ice chests full of favorite beverages ... I hope you won't forget to whisper a prayer for those who have done so much, and those who are still doing so much, to maintain what freedoms we have left.



Mr. Bill Brown - U.S. Veteran - WWII,
And his daughter Wendy Wood.
Mr. Brown is 92 years old.

There's a poster I've seen circulating frequently on facebook that reads, "Support your U.S. military.  You may be needing them if the time comes to overthrow our corrupt government."

If it were possible to pin a gold star on that poster, I'd be one of the first to stick one on it.

I have a great deal of appreciation to the veterans organizations and other participants, who come year after year to Laurel Land Memorial Park to honor those who've served us.  I can't remember a single Memorial Day weekend in Texas that hasn't been hot.  Even though they know they'll be dripping with sweat, and may not find a spot in the shade, people come anyway.  This past holiday, nearly 500 people came for the observance ceremony.



The Cannoneers

They discovered there was a reason they looked
familiar to one another. :)

On behalf of myself, and everyone else there who benefited from it, I'd like to extend a special thanks to the Marine Corps League - Longhorn Detatchment for sharing your ice water.  Never let it be said that our leathernecks aren't generous.  (Grin!) 

Seriously, the Longhorn Detatchment is made up of a great bunch of folks, and they really do set up a tent and pass out icewater for free to anyone who wants it. 

I've included what photos I could fit in the post, but if you would like to view more, they're viewable in the blog's gallery.

God bless you, thanks for the read, and don't forget to thank a veteran at your next opportunity!

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