Happy Memorial Day!

My family has a tradition every Memorial Day. We go to Westminster Memorial Park where they have a program to honor those who served our country. It's a great program with speakers, patriotic musical numbers, etc.

Our whole family goes and we have lots of fun.


The Boy Scouts place American flags on the graves of all the veterans, and everyone dresses in red, white and blue.

Afterward, we visit the graves of our family members. We have a kit we bring every year that includes: a water pitcher and paper towels to clean dirt off, digging tools to clear weeds, and lots of flowers.

My grandma's mother's name was Iris, so she placed an iris on her grave. She also told her parents, "You'd better be taking care of my sweetheart!" This year was a little different since my grandpa, who comes with us every year, passed away a few weeks ago. We not only got to visit his grave this time, but the Marines were waiting at my grandpa's grave for us. Since my grandpa joined the Marines when he was 18, they were there to salute him and his family.



They opened an American flag and held it open over my grandpa's grave while the soldiers gave a 21 gun salute (which Grandpa would've loved, since he was an avid gunman).
After, they folded it back up, and another soldier played Taps.
Then, they presented the flag to my grandma, on behalf of the President of the United States, and the Marine Corps.


It was a wonderful ceremony and very touching to be a part of. I'm so thankful to be a part of this country and for all the men and women who work so hard for our country to be what it is. We will forever be in their debt.

Of course, Memorial Day just isn't complete without a pool party and barbeque. So we all headed over to the Dimicks' for some food and fun. Scott and I had our underwater camera, so that added to the fun.

Memorial Day is a great time to have fun, spend time with family and just take a break. I am so grateful for this holiday because it also reminds me to give tribute to those who have gone before us, and to be thankful for this country we live in. It truly is the greatest country in the world. God bless America!