On this Day, We Remember {And Teach Our Children}


     “The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that                        freedom to their children” – William Harvard

Yesterday was Memorial Day, a day that I try to remain fairly silent. I usually don’t post a blog post or post on social media. But I wanted to share about our weekend with you all. It is the culmination of Military Appreciation Month, Military Spouse Appreciation and remembering those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I think its tough for those with not a lot of experience with the loss of a military loved one. They have been surrounded by Memorial Day sales, and marketing of BBQ supplies, and Happy Memorial Day’s and meme’s featuring service members. When someone does thank my husband or myself we graciously accept while politely including the real reason for this day. We know what loss is, but we also realize that those that haven’t faced it first hand won’t be as acutely aware of it. Something I say every year and I’ll say it again ~ If Memorial Day is the reason they remember to go out of their way to thank a service member or reach out to a military family, I’ll take it. But I will also take the opportunity to politely educate. I have been forever changed by the experiences in my life, and I am incredibly blessed by what I have. I will not forsake those blessings, and will live my life as a witness for those that can not be here.

We are so fortunate to be so close to Arlington National Cemetery, and it is a place that we go often. We feel the opportunity can not be missed, for our children to see and be a part of all that happens. Going to Arlington on Memorial Day is one of those such opportunities. Today was particularly important to me, as we were visiting to grave of Staff Sgt Florich from the Louisiana National Guard. I had previously written an article about him after being moved by the story of his remain being denied burial rites in Arlington. It just so happened that I had had another small connection to the same event that took his life. I had previously met one of the Marine’s involved, and his wife, as he was being honored as Marine of the Year for the USO. My short encounter with them touched me and I was so affected by his death. I am continually in awe of his beautiful wife and the whole MARSOC Raider community. Last memorial day SSGT Florich was not yet in Arlington, but this time he was and I was able to spend some time with him today.

 

If you have the opportunity to expose your children to this I strongly encourage you to do so. My mother has been taking me and my sister to visit various graves of friends and families since we were small. We have both continued this tradition with our own families. No military connection needed. Don’t let a lack of military connection stop you. Many of us have some sort of connection to the military these days, and even if you don’t and you’re reading this, you have me!! Please feel free to contact me anytime and ask me anything. Attend a Memorial Day Parade, a local military museum, look into volunteer opportunities at the USO or other local military non-profits in your area.

 

 

 

 
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his
life for his friends.” ~ John 15:13 
 
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.” ~ Billy Graham
 
I am so blessed

 

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#MilitaryMonday Memorial Day

On this, Memorial Day, I realize how lucky I am.  How lucky I am that I’m only missing my hubby for a short time.   I think of my children and what I’m trying to instill in them.  What I want them to know about our Country, this America.  We have been to Arlington many times, and I will be taking the kids again tomorrow.  We visit several specific graves, to pay tribute to those important to us, as well as acknowledge what Memorial Day is about.  It is a day to honor those that have fallen.   I hope that I can honor those are no longer with us, that I can pass that on to my children.  I want to spend this day honor them by celebrating life, my being with my friends and family and raising a glass to them.  So very thankful for them.  They are the reason I can be here with my children.

 Lifetime Moms recently began a series of video stories called,  “The Soul Behind the Soldier,” talking about the journey of Gold Star Families.  Please visit Lifetime to see the first story, of Gold Star Wife, Nicki Bunting.  A&E Networks/Lifetimes Moms will donate $1.00 for each video view to a Gold Star Family organization.  Click and spread the word of these amazing stories.

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Sunday Social, week 6

It’s days like this that I’m thankful for awesome bloggy goodness like the Sunday Social and Ashley over at Ashley’s Carnival Ride. Sometimes a good blogging rut can be broken with such awesomeness.

Sunday Social
This week’s round-up is all about Vacations! I’m excited to see what everyone else has to say about this. Now on to the good stuff. 1. What is the best trip you’ve ever been on? Well, second to my honeymoon (at a time where we could afford a digital camera – yes it was that long ago) was a recent trip the hubby and I took to the bay area. I was pregnant with our third and feeling cruddy, but we managed to plan ourselves a trip to the Ronald Regan Library and also the San Francisco. It was something on our bucket list and we wanted to get it in before we made our way back east. The Library was amazing and if you ever get the chance to go there, DO IT!

  
2. What is your best idea for a girls weekend trip?

Well I would say for sure San Fran!  That has been the destination of choice for many girls trips with my mama!

The last time we went, my mom, me and my aunt went on a Victorian Home Walking tour.  So amazing!!  If you are ever San Fran I would do it.  It’s pretty cool.

 Mrs. Doubtfire house
 Where Robin Williams Lives
 A cool house and our even cooler Tour Guide
 Me and my Aunt
My mom and my aunt
3. What is your best idea for a couples trip?
Well I have to say anywhere I get to go with my hubby is pretty awesome.  He’s a busy guy and we don’t get the chance to do it very often.  We had a day date a couple weeks ago and that sent me over the moon!  Surprisingly my best idea of a couples trip is camping!  We recently did this.  We went beach camping by ourselves and it was the most fun.  No technology, no huge crowds, it was fun.  Plus I’m a succor for the beach, so even camping at it is amazing.

 We also celebrated the hubby’s 30th birthday!
 4. What is the best vacation on the cheap?
Well after having moved to the DC area I’ve discovered that this is an awesome place for a vacation on the cheap!  Once you get yourself here almost everything else is free.  All the museums are free practically, and as long as you can walk or pay the cheap fare for the metro you can see so much stuff just walking around the city. Living here has been an amazing experience.  And being able to see all the stuff we’ve seen just for the price of the metro or gas has been pretty amazing.  
We recently took the metro to see the Cherry Blossoms and also drove 10 minutes to get to Arlington National Cemetary.

5. What is the place you want to visit most?

Definitely England.  My mom actually lived there for a couple years in the 70s.  The hubbs has gotten to go (cuz I’m an awesome wifey) and I want my passport stamped!  So much history and culture, and lots of Jane Austen places in the vicinity!

 The amazing Pemberly…gonna hunt me down Colin Firth..LOL
Mr. Collins Rectory
6. What are your vacation necessities.
Well, the hubbs is Mr. Packer man and he is beyond organized.  The definition of it, I’m convinced, if you looked it up in the dictionary.  Things that come to my mind are comfy shoes, a dressy outfit, comfy pants, a big purse so you don’t look like a tourist with a backpack 😉  Make sure to have maps or gps, and your camera!!!
thanks ladies for another fabulous Sunday Social!  I’m already excited about next week.  Its all about my favorite thing.  Purses!!!!!!
thanks for stopping by Cammo Style Love.  Make sure to check to the right for some awesome military related posts and some of my most recent reviews and giveaways!  If you’re looking for a good book check out the bookshelf up top.
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