Yesterday

[Judy Hamilton]

was spent here

[Judy Hamilton]

several heroes, The man holding the white cap is a recipient
of the highest honor awarded ..The Congressional Medal of Honor. The man wearing the straw hat is a Veteran who served in Korea.He is presenting the wreath from Veterans of Korean War. His wife told me "I have to watch him carefully as he did not take his Parkingson medicines today, because they make him too sleepy"
I so wanted to hug the Marine..however protocol allowed only a hand shake with a sincere thank you for serving our country.

[Marsha Gupton]

WOW! I am in awe.

[Dana Grant]

As usual, your photos are breathtaking.

(you were lying in that grass, weren't you, Judy?)

Beautiful. Touching.

Dana

[Marsha Gupton]

Judy

Once again, thank you for sharing of yourself with us through your photos. These pictures are so touching.

While millions of Americans celebrated by going to cookouts, many veterans through pain made their way to Veteran cemetaries for programs to honor our deceased that pain the ultimate price to pave way for us to have the freedoms we enjoy today.

Many of us are more comfortable among the living than among the dead. And we don't like to be uncomfortable it seems. To be honest, last year was the first time that I had ever been to any veteran ceremony on Memorial Day. It brought out a range of emotions in me that I was unprepared for. I drove out of that cemetary in tears.

However, not a memorial day has ever gone by that I have not thought of the veteran and remembered them and thanked them privately. Today is the anniversary of my Father's brother whom I never met. He is buried in Italy in a veterans cemetary. I believe it is in Nettuna (sp?). He was killed on May 27, 1944 in the battle at Inzio (sp?). Forgive the misspelled words.

On May 26, 1979 my beloved cousin Randy was killed in a car wreck. So for many reasons for us Memorial Day can be sad.

I am attaching a photo of my Father circa WWII.

[Jim Franklin]

Marsha, perhaps you have discovered from previous postings that my brother, Wesley Bresee Franklin, was also on the landing at Anzio, Italy, the most devestating amphibious landing of all of WWII because the casualty rate was 80% wounded or killed. Now that is a tie between us that we won't forget. Wes was later killed in Eastern France on October 4, 1944.

Judy, I heartily agree with Dana and Marsha that you and your camera put together some really awe inspiring series of photos. Thank you, again.

[Judy Hamilton]

As usual, your photos are breathtaking.

(you were lying in that grass, weren't you, Judy?)

Beautiful. Touching.

Dana

Yes dear Dana..this daughter of the 60's was sniffing :basic02grass..
I did not inhale