I often go walking in the Grandview Cemetary, overlooking the beautiful Grande Ronde Valley. Today was a very special day; it was beautiful beyond belief, and the "Avenue of Flags" was a beautiful reminder that it is Memorial Day Weekend. The veterans are honored on this weekend, and each veteran has a little flag by his/her grave. George "Bud" Hendrickson, whose grave is shown above would be proud to be buried in a cemetary that honors Veterans and be surrounded by American Flags. In addition, over 200 flags line the avenues of the cemetary. Each flag represents a soldier who lost his/her life in the line of duty to our Country. The flags are donated for the weekend by family members who were awarded those flags when only a body returned home after combat. This is such a beautiful display and it can't help but bring tears to the eyes when remembering all of those, alive and dead, who sacrificed a part of their life so that we might be free!
Above is the view from the top of the hill. Bud's grave is by the little tree.
This is the same spot, but the view is looking up instead of down the hill.
This avenue goes down from the mosoleum and connects to the ones I just showed.
This view looks down on the Veteran's Memorial, which is in the center of the cemetary. I know we are remembering loved ones who have passed on this Memorial Day. Let us also take a few minutes to honor, thank, and remember those who have served our country, and in many cases, lost their lives. I would like to thank a few members of my and Ron's family for their service and sacrifice:My Dad, Bill Calvert could not serve as a foot soldier, because he was too short (5' tall) and had flat feet. So he served in the Army Corp of Engineers building military houseing and power dams during WWII
John Hendrickson, recipient of a Purple Heart
Bud Hendrickson, recipient of a Purple Heart
Leon Hendrickson, recipient of a Purple Heart
Edward Waite
Richard Waite--Army and Air Force
Dennis Waite--Marine Corp
Alan Waite--Army
Dmitri Waite
Kresimir Waite
Patxi Waite
Clay Thurston--Afganistan
Jay Lawson---West Point Graduate
Jack Jensen
Russell Farmer
Thank you all, and many others who I may have overlooked. I admire you and love you for your service. I am proud to be an American!
Thank you all, and many others who I may have overlooked. I admire you and love you for your service. I am proud to be an American!
6 comments:
Nice tribute, Mom. The flags look beautiful. I love America!
They always do a good job of decorating that cemetary. I liked your tribute. Did Charlie Matejka serve in World War I?
Yes, I forgot Charlie Matejka, my uncle. He was buried alive by a mine blast and they didn't find him for 5 days. This was WWI. He was basically an invalid the rest of his life, but would tend his hugh garden from his garden stool, in spite of his crippled hands.
That cemetary looks so good with the flags around it. I didn't know they did so much on Memorial Day. Yes, we are grateful for those who sacrificed for our sake.
What a great post, Aunt Gwen. Thanks for remembering Richard Waite and all the other brave men.
Excellent. We have Captain Kirk Huntsman in the USAF.
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