Monday, May 28, 2007

Pic via Cat of course

Oakhill Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

posted by Paddy @ 4:04 PM   3 comments

3 Comments:

At 4:04 PM, Blogger Paddy said...

Quiet day.

 
At 4:49 PM, Blogger Mary Ellen said...

I went to the Memorial Day Parade in my suburb, which is usually very crowded, noisy, long and lots of fun. This year, it was still very crowded, but there seemed to be a very different atmosphere, more somber. The crowds always stood and applauded as the veterans went by, some marching, some in old cars. To see the WWII vets, still dressed in their Army, Navy, and Marine uniforms, marching proudly, is very awe inspiring. But this year, the applause was louder, longer and more heart felt.

This war and how it has touched each community with the deaths of their sons and daughters, some only 19 years old, has made this day different than many of the past Memorial Days. I think it must be the turn in the war, hearing of 5 and 10 soldiers a day being killed. Reality has finally sunk in.

 
At 5:18 PM, Blogger Ashen Shard said...

Usually I don't do anything for Memorial Day, don't go anywhere. Today was different though. I've spent two years working in some way at an African American cemetery, and today they dedicated a PA historical marker for the site, which was one of the many projects set for one of my classes.

The current conflict was mentioned, but it was not the most important point. The most important theme was finally gaining recognition for the local, state, even national African American community embodied in the sacrifice of those men buried at the site who have fought for this country despite being non-citizens during the Civil War and continuing to do so in every war since despite racism and discrimination.

Thought I would share that with everyone since it has been an important part of my work at grad-school, and also indicative of the important challenges our nation still faces here at home.

 

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