Veterans Day 2010

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life.  That is beyond honor and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact!

We have a wonderful memoral in our town that honors soldiers of all the wars our men and women have been in.  As you walk up to the memorial, it starts with pavers that donors have bought in honor of family members with their names, what branch of the armed forces they were in and dates.  Some families have gone together and put all family members on a large paver.  I thought that was a great idea.  There are also granite benches that have names etc. on them.   In the summer time, there are flowers planted in planters. This is one way the money was earned to build this beautiful memorial.

You'll notice that each pillar shows the dates of the start and end of that war; the number of soldiers that served; the number that were killed in action; and the number of prisioners of war there were.  Today there will be a ceremony here at the memorial with changing of the flags.  I plan to be there.  I think most of us have family members that have served or are serving now.  It always brings tears to my eyes when I hear the taps played. 

I was there with Leah, Jessica and the grandkids when this was dedicated in 2003, and there were jets flying overhead in formation during the ceremony.  At that time, I did get a very good picture with the flags and the jets together in the photo.  I really need to dig in to all my photos, and get them organized so I can find what I want when I need it!  The Vets are now trying to earn enough money to finish the learning center building that has been started.   Our kids don't learn about WWI and WWII in depth like we did in school, and the vision is to have a learning center where teachers can bring classes to learn more with movies, hands on exhibits and talking with Veterans themselves. 

As a kid my younger sis and I would sell poppies all up and down Main Street, to help earn money for the Veterans.  I bet some of you also remember doing that.  I don't see that anymore.  Now there "may" be a jar by the cash register of "some" stores with poppies in another jar, waiting for people to donate.  I wonder if that has worked as well as people selling to neighbors and their friends. 

If you have served in our armed forces, I thank you.  jo

Honoring our Military!

A neighbor family of ours has a program every year in August that honors all veterans.  A wonderful tribute to those who have given their all for our country.  Their program honors all branches of military service,  and there are several military collections of area veterans to see.  Visiting with veterans - to hear them talking to each other about the places they'd been, seeing some find old friends that they served with.  A great day of gathering, remembering and honoring those that gave their all, and giving thanks to those in the military today. 

There are many things to look at, and last year they had added this bunker for all to see and go inside.  It really isn't very large inside.  A tight squeeze to get inside.  Thick sand bag walls. 

Several military collections to look at.  Very interesting talking to these older vets.  There are veterans that will tell you stories, and there are others that can't talk about their experiences. 

Please take the time to "Thank" a soldier for his service or a veteran for the time they gave.  Prayers for soldiers now serving and their families missing their loved ones so far from home.

Little Church in the Country

We attended a wedding last fall where daughter Stephani and husband Cullen were both in the wedding. The church was a little country church in southern Minnesota that doesn't have weekly services, but is still used for weddings and such by the families that take care of the church and cemetery. The brides family had grandparents and great grandparents that were early members of this little Lutheran church. Her great-grandfather helped to build this church.

The flag on my blog header is a 48 State flag. It hangs on the South wall of the church. This 48 Star flag was used from 1912 through 1959. The flag that Steph and Cullen are standing by, is on the north wall across from the 48 Star flag, and the stars show the number of members from this church that were gone to WWI, and the horizontal stars indicate the number of members that did not return. I can only imagine how hard it was for those families of this small community to have sent their loved ones to war; and not to ever see them again. Their bodies are probably some of the many soldiers (over 104,000 in both WWI and WWII) that are buried on foreign soil. With the flags still hanging there, you know how important it was for those that went to church there. With the flags hanging where all could see - they were reminded each time they were there of the fathers, brothers or uncles that were gone to war. There were no telephones to call home weekly. They were lucky to be able to send a letter occasionally. None of the modern conveniences we have today.

This little church has the origianl lantern fixtures hanging from the ceiling. The old carpet on the floor has that smell of "dusty old". The front of the santuary is original. All so beautiful. These early settlers did a wonderful job of building this little church. There is a balcony in the back, with a couple of rows of seats.
Would they have used that for a choir or maybe just overflow. I don't think the church would hold over 100 people. The old pump organ still works-but I'm not sure how many people today could play it. I'm sure the old organ really "sang" when it was played.