My family has been blessed. No one, to my knowledge, has died in a war, foreign or domestic. Both of my grandfathers served--one in WWII, one in Korea--but they never saw battle. My father was too young for Vietnam and my Uncle was in the Peace Corps. My husband was an Air Force Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but never sent (oh, thank God!). My cousin, Sarah, was actually sent to Iraq with the Army, but never saw combat (who knows what she did see.
I am proud of their service. All of them.
On Saturday, my husband and I took our children to a local lake for a picnic and hike. On the way there I noticed a lone gravestone with two flags beside it. It looked rather old and was in an odd place--close to a country road, all by itself. Headed home, I made Russ pull over so I could check it out. What a find! It was a Revolutionary War gravestone. The soldier was born in 1750, served in the U.S. War if Independence which ended in 1783, and died in 1833. And someone had put American flags out for Memorial Day--227 years after he fought.
Always remember. I don't think that's asking too much. If someone else can remember for 227 years, we can surely follow suit.
*The picture above is not of the grave I found. It is merely and example.
Michele - Thank you so much for this reminder of what we owe those who gave their lives in service. You're right; the least we can do is to remember...
ReplyDeleteGreat story about the tombstone! My family hasn't lost anyone in war either (thank goodness), but I often reflect on the sacrifices made and how they've shaped our world, from the Revolutionary and Civil War to now.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a war buff and even recognize how Alexander's battles over two thousand years ago helped introduce Greek ideals to the world, including the concept of democracy (if not the practice).
Happy Memorial Day!
Margot- There's never ENOUGH we can do. And this is the LEAST I could do. Thank YOU for coming by here today.
ReplyDeleteLorel- I was amazed it was a Revolutionary War tombstone! That is pretty far back for us Americans. I didn't know that about you...You are forever more intersting...And a happy one to you, friend!
What a beautiful post. I've got countless relatives in the military (past and present.) It would have been something to see that 227 year-old grave.
ReplyDeleteBest to you -
Corra
from the desk of a historical writer
How beautifully touching!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the story of the grave of the fallen soldier from the Revolutionary war - how wonderful that he is still remembered.
ReplyDeleteAmen! What a lovely post and a great discovery by you. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete--James
http://jamesgarciajr.blogspot.com/
Sweet sentiments. I agree, rememberance and gratitude are important on this day. I'd think so even if so many of my ancestors hadn't been slain in wars, as victims and soldiers.
ReplyDeleteCorra- How wonderful they deem to serve. Good to hear from you again!
ReplyDeleteMaribeth- It was nice to take the time to stop. We don't often stop for the dead, you know?
Elspeth- I was surprised to find a Revolutionary War grave so far South. I'm sure there are many scattered around, but it was all alone. It seemed special.
James- It needed to be shared. And remembered.
John- Victims and soldiers. A truer phrase hadn't yet been written here.
Loved your post. And how cool that you made your husband pull over to have a look. So many people would just drive by.
ReplyDeleteAlways remember. That says it all. Good post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your tale of an old war grave.
ReplyDeleteI guess I must nearly drive Deb mad by turning around to look at something I have spied by the road.
Good post and what a cool find, lucky for you. My brother is in Iraq now, so yesterday was hard on the family. I took the kids to an old Civil War cemetery, like today many of those boys did not really understand why they were fighting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. Those little treasures do make you remember, don't they? Living in England you forget that America does have just as rich a history (albeit not as long) as the rest of them.
ReplyDeleteI DID respond to this last half of you all on Wednesday, but for some reason it didn't post.
ReplyDeleteCathy- With kids in the car, we often do just drive by. But it just pulled at me, and I'm glad I stopped!
Jemi- It really does.
Al- I plan to drive my family crazy more often! The reward is worth the time.
Avalon- I wish your brother safety and strength. It is an honor to stand for one's country, even though we all wish we never had to call on our men and women to do so. Thank you for sharing your family's service. You are ALL giving.
Meagan- I'd imagine you'd never get anywhere if you stopped to look at old stuff in England! Here, a little side trip every once and a while isn't such an imposition.