Memorial Day....how do you roll?

That sounds like a great way to respect the day.

Clearly in a different country/continent/hemisphere here!  BUT we have our own version Anzac day which commemorates the battle at Gallopoli where thousands of Australian and New Zealand troops died in Turkey.

There is a Dawn Service.  Schools get very involved too, and attend a parade lay flowers etc.  There is a Aussie Rules Football match played on that day between the same two teams every year.

That is excellent!  Thanks Jo!  I'm going to show my kids your version of our day after I google Anzac Day.......I had no idea. I bet my kids will think it's a cool deal that you all remember those who fought for you.

Here ya go Jo......glad to know your country remembers those soldiers!

"When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war."

Always remember! Teach your children!

Thks.

I'll teach Artemis this week about your memorial day.  It certainly is good to remember.

Great thread LB.

We haven't been to a cemetery on Memorial Day, nor have we gone to a parade, but we do talk to the kids a lot about American History, and do a lot of historical fiction reading with them.  As Memorial Day approaches, we talk to them about the significance of the holiday, the people we know who have been in war, the people we know who have died in war, and what war has meant to our country, particularity as it relates to our "freedoms" "rights" and "privileges".  They are only 8, 6, and 2, but I know that my 8 and 6 year old "get it"--at least as much as I want them to at this age :/

Yesterday they spent a better part of the day practicing a civil war story telling, complete with the 6 year old drumming and the 8 year old singing and playing piano.  It was eerily somber and appropriate. 

My grandfather was the war correspondent for our newspaper (DM Register) for WWII, Korea and Vietnam. We have collections of his columns and the girls are just now to the age where I think we could begin to read and discuss them. 

To all of you who have served, thank you for what you have done for our country. Peace.

Interesting that you chose that word to end your post.  As we were leaving the cemetery this morning we noticed, for the first time, that simple word on the exit side of the entrance memorial.  We talked about how great it would be if there were no more wars, but then my son piped up that maybe we wouldn't ever have peace if not for those who are willing to fight.

We found a stone today that was inscribed "Eleven Unknown Soldiers" and dated 1865.

Thankfully, I was in the Marine Corps during a time of peace for our country so I don't know that end of it,  except from the stories told to me by members of my family.  But, four men who I came up with as a young Police Officer and worked next to have been killed in the line of duty, including my partner of 4 years right after I transferred out of the undercover unit we worked together in.  I usually visit their graves during the Police Memorial week at some point......sometimes a group of us will have a beer there, and leave one.  I don't find it unsettling.  I am grateful there are men, and women, willing to put everything on the line for a better world.  In fact, I find it the opposite of unsettling.....I am comforted to know they exist...sad as I am for those who pay the ultimate price.

I get that.  I've been there 3 times......it's an incredible place.  

I see your point....I don't actually know anyone who is buried there, that may indeed be a bit unsettling.  I am, however, proud that my Grandfather is buried at a National Cemetery, and proud of his service in WWII.

That's pretty cool.....I'll look for the video.  

My son was 3 1/2 when 9/11 happened........I had it on TV all day, oblivious to what he was picking up.....that night, he built a tower out of legos and crashed a toy plane into it......I was reduced to a sobbing mess when I saw it.

Nice!  Thank you for your husband's service, and all that it entailed for you.

Called my father up to give my appreciation.  He was a combat and medi-vac helicopter pilot in Vietnam.  Was shot down several times trying to get boys out.  He and my grandfather (now passed, who fought in WWII) talked me OUT of going into the service.  They said they fought for this nation so me (and all other kids) would hopefully never have to again.

Then went to the grand canyon to see some of the wonders of this nation/world.