For Our Tomorrow, They Gave Their Today

For Memorial Day, Jim was very anxious that we do something as a family to remember those who have given their lives that we might have freedom.  He did a little searching on the internet and found that there are only 139 National Cemeteries in the whole United States – none in Utah or Idaho, and  only one in Washington.  We happened to live within a half hour of the Tahoma National Cemetery.

   “The National Cemetery honors veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation.”

“

 It was an inspiring experience to walk through the cemetery and read many of the inscriptions on the headstones and see which war or wars the soldiers had served in.  There were soldiers who had served in Iraq and had died in the last couple of months.

 We noticed that there was usually a religious symbol at the top of the headstone.  We even saw some with the Angel Moroni. 

 For Memorial Day, every headstone had an American Flag placed in front of it, and there were beautiful red, white and blue flower arrangements all over the place.

  One walk took us around the back where we were able to read memorials to different soldiers.  This one was to soldiers in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea in 1950.  It made me think about my Dad who served in Korea. 

 We were very fortunate to be able to have Lincoln with us for the weekend – hair and all.

 

 This “Prisoner of War – Missing in Action” flag reminded me of the Prisoner of War bracelet that I wore as a teenager in the 70’s with the name of Captain Robert Davis and the date 3-23-69 engraved on it.  I still have it.  I have always wondered what ever became of Captain Davis. 

Update:  I just went searching on-line through the Library of Congress POW/MIA Database and actually found out what did happen to Capt. Robert Davis.  Here is part of what I discovered.  (Notice the date of 23 March 1969 is the date on my bracelet.)

There are further reports that in 1995, a joint US/Laos team was able to go back in several times to the crash site and positively identify the remains of the A-26 aircraft that they had flown and stated that Capt. Robert Davis and Capt. James Widdis were in the aircraft at impact.

 

 Not all the red, white and blue reminders were patriotic.  This was just a plain old reminder of something he wants but doesn’t have.

Dallin came home for the Memorial Day Weekend.  I wondered if he felt any differently walking through a cemetery dedicated to veterans than he did before he got involved with the military.

 I’m very grateful Jim took the initiative to help us remember.   He was also able to make it the focus of our family home evening lesson Monday night. This will have to become another one of those worthwhile Walton Family Traditions.  It surely filled us with a great sense of gratitude for the incredible sacrifice of life that so many have made on our behalf.

All that we can know about those we have loved and lost is that they would wish us to remember them with a more intensified realization of their reality. . .  The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.”   –Thornton Wilder