Memorial Day 2011

"...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime....let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan." --General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868

Some gave all......

The Bear Clan will begin the weekend by placing flags on the graves at Fort Rosecrans. Up at dawn on Saturday with 1500 other Boy Scouts doing this yearly task. It is inspiring to watch the waves of scouts descend down the gently rolling hills of the cemetery in the early morning haze. Pausing at each grave to place a flag and say out loud a long forgotten name. Me? I look for the Michigan boys, because somebody has to take care of em. Our last stop is Grandpa's grave, where we place a final flag and spend some time with him.

Go out this weekend, give thanks and remember our heroes, past and present. Carry on.