They Died for All Mankind

One of my favorite poets is Edgar Guest, and, while doing some research for this Memorial Day post, I happened to come across the following poem which was written by Mr. Guest. These Did Not Pass in Selfishness; They Died for All Mankind     By Edgar A. Guest These did not pass in selfishness; they died for all mankind; They died to build a better world for all who stay behind; And we who hold their memory dear, and bring them flowers today, Should consecrate ourselves once more to live and die as they. They were defenders of the faith and guardians of the truth; That you and I might live and love, they gladly gave their youth; And we who set this day apart to honor them who sleep, Should pledge ourselves to hold the faith they gave their lives to keep. If tears are all we shed for them, then they have died in vain; If flowers are all we bring them now, forgotten they remain; If by their courage we ourselves to courage are not led, Then needlessly these graves have closed above our heroes dead. To symbolize our love with flowers is not enough to do; We must be brave as they were brave, and true as they were true. They died to build a better world, and we who mourn today, Should consecrate ourselves once more to live and die as they. As we celebrate this long Memorial Day weekend with picnics, barbeques, and family gatherings, let us also reverently honor and pay our respects to those who gave their lives in service of their country, preserving and protecting the freedoms that we all enjoy today.   Let us also remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who, at this very moment, are risking their lives to keep America out of harm's way.  May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

Memorial Day Tribute 2011

As we celebrate this long Memorial Day weekend with picnics, barbeques, and family gatherings, let us also remember the true reason for the holiday — to reverently honor and pay our respects to those who gave their lives in service of their country, preserving and protecting the freedoms that we all enjoy today. I wish I could personally thank each and every one of them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. I would also like to remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who, as I write this, are risking their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us. While we should honor these heroes every day, we should honor them especially on Memorial Day. I hope we will all take time out this weekend, as "one Nation, under God," to proudly fly our flags and bow our heads in gratitude as we remember our fallen heroes ...

Memorial Day 2010

I think "Taps" is one of the most beautiful, albeit heartrending, songs ever written, and I couldn't think of a more fitting song to use for this brief slideshow commemorating our veterans this Memorial Day weekend.

I wish I could personally thank each and every one of them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. May God bless and keep them and let them know how much their service is appreciated.

I would also like to remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who, as I write this, are risking their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow. Be sure to turn your sound up so you can hear the hauntingly beautiful strains of Taps echoing in the background, performed by the United States Army Ceremonial Band.

And for a very eloquent, inspiring, and heartfelt tribute to go along with Taps, be sure and visit my friend Rachel at Lawn Tea. Your weekend will be better for it.

"Taps"

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, scouts must go to their beds,
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Taps was composed by Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, an American Civil War general. Butterfield wrote the tune at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, in July 1862.

"Echoing Taps" -- A Memorial Day Tribute

I think "Taps" is one of the most beautiful, albeit heartrending, songs ever written, and I couldn't think of a more fitting song to use for this slideshow commemorating our veterans today.

I wish I could personally thank each and every one of them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. May God bless and keep them and let them know how much their service is appreciated.

I would also like to remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow. Be sure to turn your sound up so you can hear the hauntingly beautiful strains of Taps echoing in the background, performed by the United States Army Ceremonial Band.

"Taps"

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, scouts must go to their beds,
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Taps was composed by Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, an American Civil War general. Butterfield wrote the tune at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, in July 1862.

To read an eloquent, heartfelt Memorial Day tribute, please visit my friend Rachel at Lawn Tea. Rachel has such a beautiful way with words, and I know you will love all her stories.

18,000 Flags

On Friday, May 22nd, in anticipation of several Memorial Day ceremonies scheduled for the weekend, hundreds of volunteers placed flags on 18,000 graves in the Vicksburg National Cemetery in the Military Park.

I drove through the park before 7:00 A.M. Saturday morning, and it was truly a beautiful and moving sight to behold.

I'm going to let my pictures speak for themselves, as we honor our veterans, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country ... their lives.

I would also like to remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

Here are a few of the photos I captured of the flags in the park (you can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like) ...

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and memorable Memorial Day celebration.