Memorial Day - 2008

This Memorial Day was the first for us to decorate Janene's father's grave. We had been disappointed when none of our flowers or the flowers in Blaine's yard were in bloom this year. In past years we have always been able to count on the peonies from Blaine's yard to help us decorate the graves. As we approached the cemetary our gaze was drawn to the crosses set for all of the veterans of past wars. We have seen this display created by the American Legion over the course of many years, but we never had a connection. This year, front and center in the display, we discovered Janene's father's name on a cross honoring his service in World War II. Blaine never talked much about his service to our country, we never heard him brag about his exploits, never heard a war story with him as the hero. The memory of his service to our country was always one of quiet contemplation, a moment of melancholy remembrance of those of his band of brothers who never returned to their families at home. We have no doubt, however, of his faithful service to all of us as one of The Greatest Generation.