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Published: June 25th 2009
WWII Veteran KIA At Pearl Harbor
Headstone of a WWII Veteran Died Aboard the USS Arizona, Lawrence McFaddin Jr.My theme for my latest travel journey revolves around patriotism and remembering those who fought for our freedom, near and far.
After a busy spring, my European adventure and side trips in May, I wasn’t ready for any big travel adventures over Memorial Day and Flag Day weekend. To be honest, I was looking forward to staying home, catching up on work around my house, gardening and just sitting on my best side. But weekends without an adventure is not one of my best attributes.
So on Memorial and Flag Day weekend, instead of searching for an adventure, the adventure came to me. I devoted both weekends to our veterans, past and present.
Memorial weekend I visited Highland Cemetery, Camp Dodge and the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meeter. So here goes with part one.
First, longstory short on Memorial Day, otherwise known as Decoration Day: In 1868, in remembrance of the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic showed their respect by decorating the graves of the fallen with flowers……Decoration Day. The tradition continued for over 100 years and in 1971, Memorial Day was granted as a federal holiday, which would
Veteran Headstone
Remembrance -Veteran Headstone at Highland Cemetery be celebrated on the last Monday in May. Read more here
.
With some history under my belt, I went to Highland Cemetery to view the glorious field of flags with my friend Carole. Knowing no one buried at the cemetery, I was interested in locating grave sites of veterans. There were hundreds of them; WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam era veterans.
During our walk, a nice elderly man stopped us with this line “Girls do you want to learn some history?” For a second, I thought this was a pick-up line. The short end of this story, Bob Coons was on his annual visitation to his girlfriend’s grave and while there, he shares his story of his Civil War flag. He was so proud to share how he found the flag, the history of this flag, and where the flag will reside on his passing. Putting the flag aside, his commitment to his girlfriend was amazing, coming every year (4 hour drive) to put flowers and a white cross on her grave. Carole and I both hoped we would have someone so dedicated to tend to our grave site on our passing. Bob Coons, you are a Bob Coons and his Civil War Flag
Bob Coons and his pick up line "girls want to learn some history?" fine American.
Next, a short drive to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meeter, Iowa. Short story here, this is a brand new cemetery dedicated in July, 2008. The site was perfect, up on a hill overlooking the Iowa landscape. Again, not to rewrite history, here’s a link to the cemetery
. I was surprised to see the grave of a veteran killed in action at Pearl Harbor. What a nice tribute to this man that his family had his body re-buried here. I urge all Iowans to go and visit this cemetery. I’ve got my spot reserved. I will see my brothers and sisters in 40 years.
On Memorial Day, WHO Radio and the folks at Camp Dodge Armory opened up the gates to civilians to tour the Armory. This year, they had the celebration in the Freedom Center. The open house included SOS breakfast, men dressed in military uniform, from the Revolutionary to the Iraq War. On display there were military vehicles, uniforms and weapons and equipment for us to touch. This was a special day for me as it validates why I served in the USAF, 1978 to 1981. Also, I was so pleased that Iowa Veterans Cemetery
Entrance to Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meeter, Iowa over 3,000 people came out before the crack of dawn (5-9 am), to support the open house.
These three sights are just awesome to see, learn some history, appreciate our veterans, support our troops and reflect on how very lucky we are to live in a country where freedom is the cornerstone of our daily lives. Read on for part two.
Above The Best,
Ann
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Julie Richards
non-member comment
Patriotism
Awesome. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to be sure Russ sees this.