Memorial Day 2006

Vintage airplanes fly over memorial service
Memorial Day has always held special meaning for me, and this year it means even more, with my father now buried in a National Memorial Cemetery honoring veterans. Loni and David joined Jimmy and me in attending the early morning service at the Phoenix National Memorial Cemetery after we visited our father's gravesite there.
Click to see image largerIt was a very moving service, punctuated by WWII vintage airplanes flying overhead and then performing the "missing man" formation, presentations of wreaths of flowers by many to honor our national heroes, and it concluded with a rifle volley by the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard. The sharp sound of the shots once again rang through my heart like red-hot fire.
The view of the cemetery was amazing; volunteers had placed an American flag at every single headstone. At one point the wind picked up and it seemed every one of those little flags was flying at attention.

Heroes all. Click to see image larger.
To every veteran who has served this great country, I say "Thank you." And regarding each one who has given the Ultimate Sacrifice, I want your families and friends to know that you died for the most worthy of causes, Freedom. I have seen several headstones at this particular cemetery marking the Sacrifice just recently given by young men in the ongoing War to preserve Freedom. My father rests near them. He is in good company. He is in the company of heroes.

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