Pap raised my brothers and me to fully understand that our freedom didn’t happen without great loss.
Memorial Day always makes me study on those who never made it home because they were standing in the gap for my freedom and gave their very life to make sure I have it today.
A quick search will turn up all manner of heartwarming stories from soldiers.
Pap chose to sing patriotic songs and in our local area he was often asked to sing them with his brother for Memorial Day and Veterans Day events.
One of the most popular uploads on our Blind Pig and The Acorn YouTube channel is “Tear Drops Falling in the Snow.” The song is a real tear-jerker, but is perfect for the somber feelings today brings. You can go here to listen.
A few other songs that come to mind.
Last night’s video: Trying to Get the Raised Beds on the Bank Ready for Planting.
Tipper
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May God bless all of you who served and also those at home who gave you love and moral support. I’m of the Vietnam era and it still breaks my heart to remember the way our returning service people were treated by some. My mother’s parents lost two sons on the USS Arizona when Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941. A third son was also assigned to the Arizona but as he was married and his wife was with him in Hawaii, he was at home off base and was spared. My brother served in Korea and my late husband was severely injured on his left side from his head to his left foot and all points in between at the end of the Vietnam war. He suffered with and deal with the orthopedic and medical fall-out from that incident until his death. His father who served in North Africa, Italy and Germany during World War II came home without any visible injuries but changed as are many, many members of our armed services.
This song just tore me up. We can never give enough honor, gratitude and assistance to our Gold Star families and to our veterans who may not reach out for help. We must go to them and let them know how very grateful we are for their service.
I wish you all a Memorial Day full of remembering and dedication to our country and to those who are serving and have served her.
Thank you to all of our veterans and their families.
Of my family’s six servicemen in combat in WW II, we lost one, Private Hugh Crawford McGuire of the Long Creek Community of Oconee County, SC. He was killed in action near St. Lo, France, shortly after the invasion of Normandy. He was 26. I honor his service and supreme sacrifice today.
In WWII, two of my mother’s brothers served; one in the Army and one in the Navy. Both made it back but it had taken a toll on them. Two of my daddy’s brothers served; one in the Army and one in the Air Force. Daddy’s baby brother’s plane went down in the Philippine Islands. My Grandparents received a telegram that he was missing in action. He went in in 1943 and years went by with him being reported as missing in action. My Grandparents were not given any information for years until they received word his dog tags and a piece of bone had been found and was being returned to his parents in 1951 when these remains of his was buried in a national cemetery in Corinth, MS. I know there were many families that went through this awful heart wrenching time and I think of them all and my uncle who gave their lives for us.
Pap raised you all right in respecting our flag and honoring our fallen soldiers
Last memorial day weekend I met you and the girls in Knoxville for a book signing. Seems like yesterday!
About three seconds after you said “Hey Papaw “ in your live feed my power went off. It’s supposed to be back on by 5:45. I think I have this comment on the phone figured out. Maybe!
Papaw-you got it! I hope your power comes before then 🙂
We remember and are thankful for all that have served our country for freedom and gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Our hearts go out to all their families for they have lost their loved ones in the fight for freedom. God bless you are all and God bless the USA.
This is totally unrelated to Memorial Day (thank you veterans!) but I just read–and thought of you—that gardeners are saying that if you place pine needles around your squash and cucumbers squash bugs will stay away. I think it’s worth a shot. Have you tried this?
Cindy-I have never heard that but it sure is worth trying 🙂 and we have plenty of pine needles here!
beautiful song. Today I think of my brother. He was a. assault door gunner in Vietnam. He came back but was changed. He did not come back to people thanking him for his service. Someone spit on him in a California airport.
He would not talk about his campaigns. He spoke of his friends. He died when he was 60 of a heart attack brought on by smoking and the drink. As I said, he came home changed. I think he lost his life in Vietnam.
A beautiful but sad song. Reminding us of the true price of our freedom. Have a blessed Memorial Day.
Thank you, Tipper.
Truly, freedom isn’t free.
May God have mercy on us all.
Happy Memorial Day! Freedom is not free, thousands died for our freedom. I’m so thankful that many cared enough to serve our nation! Today my local American Legion will go to 6 local cemeteries to honor those who gave their all. I have attended almost every year, expect when illness kept me away, it is the least I can do for they and their families. enjoyed your gardening video last evening, you and Matt got lots done. God bless you and yours❤❤
I was raised to honor and respect our flag and always remember the ones that fought and died to give me the freedom I enjoy. I am at a loss for words as to what to say on days like Memorial Day. To me saying Happy Memorial Day to someone that has lost a loved one/family member does not seem right. I only know of two relatives of my family or my wife’s family to die in wartime. One drown during training to fight in Korea and the cousin I mentioned yesterday that was killed in Vietnam in March of 1968. He was 22 years old and married to his high school sweetheart. I often think of him and the effect his death has had on me.
Your Pap raised you right. Freedom is not free. Many paid with their lives so that today we have our incredibly blessed freedom. Lest us not forget the men and women who paid the highest price for our freedom. God please continue to bless and protect America and this world.
Have a Happy Memorial Day all!
I salute the veterans that lived and died my uncle Carl was a medic in Italy world war II, my great uncle John Jackson Sosebee also served, praise God they lived
My dad fought in Italy. Maybe they crossed paths. Dad was never wounded but had a head-on wreck on a mountain road.
I also had an uncle and next door neighbor that I always called Uncle Jack even though he was not my uncle to fight in Italy. One other Uncle was a POW in Germany. He would never talk about it even to his wife and one daughter. All I ever knew was she was over 4 years old before he ever saw her.
In watching last night’s video you referred to have something you called trembles. I spoke to my Grandson, who is a P.A.C, and he said you body probably needed some salt and eating ‘sodie’ crackers will usually do the trick. Sweating alot causes you to lose salt in most cases. It really is amazing how salt is absolutely necessary for your organs to work. Prayers for Granny and you and all your growing family.
Glenda, back years ago the cotton mills and other manufacturing plants that were not air conditioned and had the windows sealed up would have containers of salt tablets for the employees to eat or take. I remember Daddy coming home and pouring water/sweat out of his shoes. My Granddaddy would have something he called the weak trembles when he would be plowing with his mule. He would often take a stem of Johnson grass and suck the sap out of the stem.