That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies."
~Moina Michaels~
(In response to Flander's Fields)
We started the Memorial Day weekend remembering our family hero, my late dear husband, a missed father, brother, friend, and precious human being.
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15: 13)
The award continues to be a blessing...Chris' parents who lost 2 of their 4 sons, through seperate tragedies, can smile through their pain.
My stomach and heart never fail to ache as I give my speech each year...
But we always drive away striving to love those around us more truly, stronger and deeply. "If we truly want to love, we must give until it hurts."~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta~
Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed at the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. On this day we honor all who have died in service of our nation.
Dear Heavenly Father,
With a sober heart we come before You this Memorial Day. We pause for a moment and call to mind all the men and women who have died in the service of our nation since 1776.
Dear God, please look with mercy on our brave and selfless brothers and sisters, who did not shirk from their task but gave themselves completely to the cause of defending and protecting us all. Bless all who have given their lives for the sake of liberty, and grant them eternal rest with You.
We remember also our brave men and women now serving in our Armed Forces, both at home and abroad. Dear God, send out Your angels to protect them all. Help them discharge their duties honorably and well. Please bring them safely home to their families and loved ones. Please bring Your peace and mercy to our troubled world.
We ask this, Father, in the name of Jesus, Your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Take a Moment to Reflect and Pray:
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed in December 2000 asking all Americans at 3 p.m. local time "to voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps'."
Other Ways to Observe This Day:
Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
Visit local memorials.
Fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
Fly the POW/MIA Flag
Pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen soldiers, and to aid the disabled veterans
(Prayer reposted from the Autom Company)
HOOAH!!
ReplyDeletei've been flying my flag since yesterday. i couldn't be more proud of our country's heroes. much thanks to you, your beloved and all who selflessly serve.
these intentions will be part of our novena to Our Lady of Bethlehem. (we're on day 3)
"...Look down with compassion upon us, as we commend to Thy maternal care the needs of Holy Mother Church, our beloved Country, our families. We all place all at Thy blessed feet. Through Thy powerful intercession may God grant to us and to the whole frightened world the grace of mutual understanding and the sacred Peace of Bethlehem...
Our Lady of Bethlehem, pray for us now, pray for us in every need, and be Thou with us at the hour of our death. Amen." ~ Novena to Our Lady of Bethlehem
Wonderful post! You are an amazing woman, Tiffany. I have a lot of family members as well as friends who have served in the military. My grandfather died serving during WWII leaving behind my grandma and three small children. I have some of his letters that he wrote to my dad while he was away.
ReplyDeleteI keep getting ads in my e-mail for Memorial
Day sales, and that is fine... but we must remember what the day really stands for.
+JMJ+
Thanks for the reminder that Memorial Day is so much more than what we are putting on the grill!! Your late husband is certainly smiling down from heaven :) Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the prayers everyone! This came from Gardenia: Dear Tiffany, I can't seem to post on your blog. I'm having trouble on other blogs too. I wanted to comment on your recent post. God bless you and Chris and all the other men and women who have served our country, for liberty, for God and for all the citizens of the U.S. of A, so that we may be free. My family and i are indebted to you!! God bless you. We are flying our flags and remembering. And I'm saying a special prayer for Chris this weekend:)
ReplyDeleteMy flag has been up since Wednesday. It is a new one this year, bigger and brighter. My favorite things to experience over Memorial weekend are the patriotic songs that are sung in Mass and noticing that EVERYONE sings them with swelling pride. I also enjoy watching the memorial from Washington D.C. (live) on Sunday evening of the weekend. We are a family that is so indebted to those who have fallen and served for our freedom and it is never taken for granted. I can only imagine the swing of emotions that you and your late husband's family rides while giving this important scholarship out. You never cease to amaze me. God bless you and your family!
ReplyDelete