Memorial Day always makes me think of my Dad who served in the US Navy. My father died almost 7 years ago now. He was always so proud of his military service, and we were proud of him as well. He received full military honors at his funeral. If you have ever been to a funeral with honors you do not forget it. The playing of the Taps and then the firing of the rifles is very moving. I can only imagine how emotional it must be at a funeral for a soldier who was killed while in active service.
My father served on the USS Cone during the Korean War. While he was on the ship he wrote this poem, and I read it at his funeral.
Memorial Day is a holiday created to honor those who gave their lives in service of our country. However, I remember my parents often taking us to visit the cemetery where my grandmother was buried on that weekend. When we were there we also visited the graves of our ancestors and other relatives we had never known. To me it has always been about remembering all of those who are gone.
In that spirit, and because this is a pet blog, I wanted to also share photos of our two boys who we lost just over the last year, Kobi and Moses. My father was not a dog person, but I still hope that our boys and all of the other pets we have lost are in heaven with him and my Mom keeping them company.
Happy Memorial Day to everyone. I hope you are enjoying a long weekend, and don’t forget to pause and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Thank you to Sugar the Golden Retriever and Dachshund Nola for hosting the Black & White Sunday blog hop. Please visit more of the participants through the links below!
That was a lovely post and your dad wrote a wonderful poem.
Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for sharing memories of your father and his beautiful poem and for sharing the pictures of your sweet boys. This post gave me goosebumps. So lovely.
Thank you so much for coming by and reading. It means so much to me to know that it touched you.
What a lovely tribute to your Dad, Moses and Kobi and all others that have passed.
Wags to all,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Thank you, Snoopy! Thanks for coming by and reading about our loved ones. 🙂
What a beautiful post Jan, I remember the day too as the day we went to the cemetery and put geraniums on the graves of my great grandparents.
I think it’s lovely to remember all who have passed. I’m sure you are proud of your dad for his service. And serving on board ship is not easy. Bless him for his service to our country.
And what lovely pictures of the two who are waiting for you at the bridge.
Jodi, I love how you have the same memories. Geraniums….yes! That’s what we always brought too!
I love the old photos of my Dad looking so handsome in his uniform, which he also wore when he married my Mom, since he was still serving then.
The boys….we really miss those two. It’s coming up on one year since we lost Moses, so we’re really feeling the loss of both of them these days.
What a touching poem. It gave me goosebumps just reading it and wondering how your father felt when writing it.
Happy Memorial Day to you.
Thank you, Jen, I am so glad you enjoyed the poem. I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend too.
What a beautiful story and poem! My dad was a WWII veteran, and all the others wars, as he retired in ’67. He was a dog lover though and one of the few things that give me peace is thinking he is with all of the pets our family has loved over the years. Sandra & Dolly
Thank you, Sandra and Dolly! Your father sounds like a wonderful man, and someone you have fond memories of. That is what we have to hold on to.
What a wonderful poem that is and what fabulous memories you have of your Dad and his love of the Navy. I lost my Dad in 1992 and he had the full military honors funeral at Arlington National Cemetery – sometimes I go back to that day in my dreams – he loved serving his country and retired TWICE because he just couldn’t stay away from the Air Force! Today is a day of remembering our Dads and all those who are gone including our beloved pets – I too like to think of them all enjoying a glorious picnic in the sun together…..keeping a watchful eye over us until we join them one day………… Have a lovely Memorial Day!
Pam and Sam
Thank you so much for your kind words, Pam! Your father sounds like an honorable man and someone to be very proud of. I visited Arlington when I was in college, it is quite impressive and I’d love to go back there one day.
I hope you and Sam have been having a lovely day too, and are holding your memories close.
I remember that poem from his service. Love & miss him (my second Dad) and your Mom… 🙂 as well as my own phenomenal Dad… Who was in the Air Force… I’m sure they’re looking over Moses & Kobe, and Shadow & Zoey. xoxo
Thanks, Sheryl. Even though I had issues with Dad later in life, he was a good father and a good man, as was yours.
xxxooo
Beautiful poem. God bless your father. My dad is also a vet, and I am fortunate that he is still with me.
Thank you so much. I am glad that your Dad is still with you, and please thank him for his service!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful tribute to your dad. Love the pictures of Kobi and Moses. Hope you are having a great Memorial Day weekend!
I am so glad I was able to share it with you, and that I could tie in those photos of the boys as well! I hope you are having a great weekend too.
((((hugs)))) to you and your most special Father, he would be so proud of your post xoxo
Thank you so much, Caren, I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but I love that thought. My parents knew I always wanted to be a writer and they would be glad I am finally doing it in some way, and that I was able to share Dad’s poem like this.
Your dad had a beautiful way with his words. His poem moved me. Thank you for sharing it today.
Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me…Dad would have loved that you enjoyed it so much. He was so proud when it got published in that poetry book!
Happy Memorial Day! Great memories to share. My grandfather served in the army I believe during the Korean War too.
Same to you, Ann! I bet your grandfather had some stories to share as well, and I hope he was proud of his service.
You have a whole lot of reasons to be proud of your father! That is a wonderful poem. Thank you for sharing your memories. Happy Memorial Day to you and yours.
Thank you so much, Bethany. It is so nice to have others sharing in my memories. I hope you and your family are having a beautiful weekend.
Happy Memorial Day! Thanks for sharing.
Same to you! Thank you for coming by and reading…I enjoyed sharing my Dad’s poem,
Have a great Memorial Day!
Thank you, Emma! I hope you and your family are having a very nice weekend.
Happy Memorial Day. That was a beautiful poem your father wrote. Thank you for his service. Ma’s daddy was a Marine in Vietnam.
Same to you, Oz. Thank your Mom as well for her Dad’s service. A Marine with a purple heart is very impressive.
That was absolutely beautiful!
Thank you for sharing some of your family history.
I am sure your pups are up there with him.
Have a great weekend, beautiful beautiful post.
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Thank you so much, Jenna! I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend with your family!
Golden Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful Memorial Day celebration. Golden Woofs
Thank you, Sugar, I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.
That was fantastic! We all need to remember what Memorial day is all about. Thanks!
Thank you, Mary! Sometimes we get caught up in the first official weekend of summer, and I don’t want to lose sight of what it’s really supposed to be about.
Beautiful beautiful post, love the photos! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much!!