Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States. Wikipedia
A collage of photographs remembering my great Uncle Leon killed in action in France near the end of WWI. He died in an aide station at the front with my paternal grandfather, his younger brother, at his side. Leon and Clare served together along with two future brothers in law in the Yankee Division. My dad and my grandfather Clare are in the upper left, marching in their American Legion uniforms to lay wreaths on a Hanover, Massachusetts Memorial day in the 60s.
Leon's Dad, Lewis, my great grandfather, was quite a character. He never missed a Memorial Day Parade, marching into his late 90s. He is pictured above also. Lewis lived a long life, fathering his last child at 72 with his younger second wife. His first wife died of typhoid very young leaving three young children. Lewis was a proud Civil War veteran and traveled to many Civil War Soldiers reunions around the United States. When his youngest son, Russell died in 2001 his obituary noted that he belonged to the fraternal organization, The Son's Of Civil War Veterans. He was probably one of the last members! Lewis outlived my great grandmother by 11 years, making it past 100.
For the Record,
This day came in with clouds and sun, but the rain held off for all the family Memorial Day gatherings.
I retired from public school teaching after happily spending twenty eight years playing in Kindergarten. Now I fill my days watching cat antics, taking endless...
These hands are grateful too.