FREEDOM

MEMORIAL DAY 2009

I heard Taps sound one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugle play,
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times,
Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had covered a coffin,
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children
Of the mothers and the wives.
Of the fathers, sons, and husbands,
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard,
At the bottom of the sea,
Of unmarked graves at Arlington.
No, Freedom Is Not Free!

- LCDR Kelly Strong, USCG

Every Memorial Day (and Veteran's Day, for that matter), my family and I drive the short distance to Los Osos Cemetery. There we attend a memoriam for the soldiers who have blessed our Land with freedom. I don't know how this tradition started, maybe because my dad served in the United States Air Force and fought in the Vietnam War and he feels deeply about such things, maybe it's because a long time ago a dear friend of my dad's invited him to come with him to it and we've been going ever since, or maybe it's because we have a great love for our country. Maybe it's all three. But, it is such a good ceremony-- with heart, reverence, and admiration for those who have given their service, and sometimes their lives, so that we might be free.

War memorabilia is on display (you know, old uniforms, Army-issued first aid kits during WWII, Japanese helmets, Civil War rifles, an old Army ambulance used during the world wars) and they even have sky-divers who fly out of the sky followed by a trail of red smoke and the American flag. The CHP brings their helicopter and lands and takes off for all to see. The children were so excited! And they have a BBQ lunch with tri-tip sandwiches put on by the Kiwanis.

Wreaths were placed for each branch of the military, an especial one for the POW's and MIA's was placed by the flag, and the bugler proudly played Taps. As the melody of Taps rang out through the air, a feeling of reverence and honor came over the crowd. Everyone stood and placed their hands over their hearts. We sang America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner with tears in our eyes.

My father stood with all of his fellow Air Force Veteran's while their song "Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder" was played by the band. And I felt proud. Proud of my dad, and proud to live in this great nation.

(Pictures taken at last year's ceremony, 2008)