Happy Memorial Day

Today we were able to go to a Memorial Day festival, of sorts. It was one of those small town events, the kind that make you want to buy shaved ice and smile at the people you're passing on the way to the children's games.

It wasn't a life changing event, though all the cousins and second cousins certainly had a good time.

But I will remember this: when the quartet started singing "The Star Spangled Banner", a hot, humid, busy, bustling street full of people became still. Everywhere I looked, hands were placed over hearts. As the song ended, everyone cheered--more than would cheer for the other bands that would perform.

This was always my dad's favorite verse:

"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Thank you to all those freemen who are currently standing between our homes and the war's desolation. Thank you to all who have served to keep us safe and free. Happy Memorial Day.