A Day of Gratitude

[Big Fin]

Memorial Day always holds great importance for me. I am thankful that Bozeman has such a wonderful group of Veteran's organizations who hold a remarkable Memorial Day service. Today, they placed 2,260 flags on graves of Veterans in this cemetery.

A Roll Call is always held for the Gold Star families of those who have given the greatest sacrifice for our freedoms. Hard to see so many parents, spouses, and children come forward to be honored on behalf of their fallen family member without thinking of how their lives were changed when their loved one was killed. A reminder for me that all I might worry about, the displeasures I might find in my overly comfortable life, and the burdens I might focus on, are pale in comparison to what these families have dealt with. My thanks to them.

Prior to the service, this Gold Star lady, who has overseen the flag placements for decades, laid a wreath on the fallen warriors memorial. The service has outgrown the space at this fallen warriors memorial and has been moved further up the hill to accommodate the size of the crowd. Glad to see so many people taking the time to honor those who have fallen in service.

 

[JohnCushman]

It's so awesome to see small towns giving a crap about things like that. You don't see stuff like that in the big cities other than maybe a parade. I love small town living.

 

[T Bone]

Thank you vets and families!

 

[Lv2hnt]

A very special tribute there in Bozeman --- thanks for sharing, Randy. Freedom definitely comes with a price, and leaves an immeasurable debt ...

 

[Straight Arrow]

The backdrop for the Bozeman tribute is the permanently emplaced replica Vietnam Memorial Wall, with over fifty-eight thousand names engraved. Various fallen veterans of wars past receive a tribute by having their names, dates, ranks and worthy remarks read, followed by the gentle ringing of a bell for each. The Gold Star families are escorted by current servicemen and women in dress uniform, as the fallen relative's name is read and Gold Star members are presented with a coin and flowers. Year after year recently, those who perished in the Middle East conflicts and in Afghanistan are honored. It seems to be sad, yet uplifting, to the families to know their loved ones are not forgotten. The tribute at the cemetery follows an early morning free breakfast at the American Legion on Main Street, followed by a well-attended parade displaying vintage military vehicles and vintage military personnel, such as yours truly. The ceremony includes the tribute to the Fallen Warriors, prayers, music, a brief speech by a veteran, a 21-gun salute, bagpipe music, and taps. It is a worthwhile event for any citizen to attend as it does remind that most certainly, "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE".

 

[Joe Hulburt]

Thanks to all who have served to give us the freedoms we have.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

Wow, awesome write up Big Fin. If you have dry eye after reading that you are one cold s.o.b. Today I thought a lot about some of you guys I know on here and considered a p.m. but didn't know if it would be seen as corny, so I will just post on this thread and say thanks. I have never had to know that kind of sacrifice to serve and can't imagine the hell of giving up a loved one. The closest would be a young man I coached, Brian "Bucky" Anderson. I know his mother well and honestly had to stop the tractor and cry when I heard her request "more than a name on a wall" on the radio a few years back. Thank you all so very much, gratitude is not an adequate repayment for what so many have put on the line.

 

[duckhunter175]

Outstanding-- glad to see some positive stories and folks focusing on what is important and not a dang gorilla...