I am going to call this post part two of a two part post. Part one was on my evolving thoughts on the Memorial Day holiday. This post just continues that journey.
With this new appeciaton of Memorial Day I had thought about going to the Houston National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony. I thought about it but had talked myself out of it; as my husband had to work. I had some clients call late yesterday and they wanted to look at a house early this morning. When I realized the ceremony was just a 15 minute drive from the house I was showing I just felt I was meant to go. We have lived here 12 years and I can't even tell you how many times I have driven by this cemetery (as it is located in Northwest Houston) but this was my first time to go in.
I am so glad that I went. The ceremony was a beautiful tribute to our fallen soldiers. It was somber yet meaningful! I think this will start a new Memorial Day tradition for me.
With out son just getting out of Iraq in March and out of the Army May 2nd this has made Memorial Day very special for me this year. If you have never watched a welcome home celebration please share my joy and visit my Welcome Home to Texas - 4th Infantry!! post! I have written 386 post so far on the rain and I have to say my welcome home post is my VERY FAVORITE!! I feel so blessed that he came home safe and sound!
We have such a debt of gratitude for those who are serving in our Armed forces, those who have served and partiuclarly those who made the ulitmate sacrifice.
Marchel, thank you for bringing this to us from the Houston National Cemetery and every one of the photos is awesome. Great presentation too.
Marchel, Great slide show from the Houston National Cemetery. I am sure that this was very touching to see...
Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN
Marchel, very nice, thank you! Because of AR I have been able to see what other communities across the US did for Memorial Day, brings us all a bit closer.
Marchel, I love the small town events. We always have a parade in Saline and all the Veterans march, not a dry eye especially those from Viet Nam. It is a sober event when we walk to the local cematary. I love your embeded shows, it is awesome.
Marchel--It must have been fate to have a showing so close to this event. We have a similar event at Fort Snelling but like you, we have never attended. I did get to attend a military funeral for a relative a couple of years ago at the cemetery and that alone was very humbling. The rows and rows of people who have served for our country. Mind boggling. Thanks for sharing the photos. It looks like a wonderful event.
Marchel,
You were meant to go and thank you for answering the call to share. We are all blessed because of it.
What a wonderful slideshow of photos!! I enjoyed each one. Thank you for sharing so much from your heart. You are such a kind and generous person, and I am thankful you are my friend. I've missed you these past months. Thank YOU so much for your prayers!! ~GBU~
Marchel,
I'm so glad your son is home from Iraq! Thanks for a moving post and wonderful slide show.
Mike in Tucson
The turnout looked tremendous. Nice to see that many in one place paying respects.
GARY WOLTAL, I'm so glad I attended. It made the day very meaningful!!
MICHAEL, It was touching to see. I guess I now have something to do on Memorial Day as this is a yearly event.
ANDREA, I found it interesting to see what was going on across the country also.
MISSY, This one was Houston's major event and here it takes place not far from me. I can't believe I have been missing it for the last 12 years. As you well know having a son in the military changes your perspective.
TERI, I will be honest had that showing not happened I would probably not have left my house; so yes I think it was fate.
ALICE, I'm so glad that I went. I thought I might be uncomfortable going alone but that did not bother me at all. It was an awe inspiring event.
MIKE, What a relief to have our son home safe and sound. He starts college on Monday. He is very excited to get his college started.
CARON, It was a tremendous turn out. I had to park a few blocks away in a residential neighborhood.
ELIZABETH, It is so wonderful to see your smiling face showing up on my blog roll again. Please let me know how I can specifically be praying for your family.
Very touching Marchel. Loved your photographs as well. How did you get it to change pictures so unobtrusively? I liked that. ;-)
Marchel, I am so glad your son is home, safe and sound. These pictures are just beautiful and I can't think of a better way to have spent the day. Thank you for sharing them.
Hi Marchel, I love the slide shows and the tribute here. I have not been able to get my slide show program set up.
TERI, Thanks! Myrl Jeffcoat wrote a post telling how to do it. You have to have the ability to upload it to your own website as it goes static on the rain.
CAROLE, With him being gone for almost 5 years it still seems surreal that he is home. He starts college on Monday WOO HOO!!
WILLIAM, I am so glad I went it made the holiday very meaningful! I'm enjoying the heck out of the slide show. I thought about putting it on a real estate show as it has the music but just like Teri said I like how unobtrusive this slide show is.
Marchel, I noticed you have the Avenue of Flags just as we do at Quantico, Karen
Hey, Marchel - I just did a slide show using slide.com. What program are you using?
KAREN, This was my first time so I didn't know about the avenue of flags but I found it very cool. Our next door subdivison did that and I thought it was very impessive.
JIM, I learned how to do this from Myrl Jeffcoat. She wrote a post on Animated Blogging. You must be able to upload it yourself however. I upload it to my website and then add the link. When I try to do it direct from AR the animation does not work. I'm enjoying the heck out of it.
Very nice pictures - and so glad your son made it home safely.
ED, Our son started college a week ago Monday. We are so EXCITED to have him home. He will tell you the Army was a good experience for him but in the same breathe he will tell you he is glad he is out. He went in a boy and came out a fine young man!!