Today was the Memorial Day Ceremony at the
Netherlands American Cemetery in
Margraten. Unlike
last year, the weather was a perfect tribute to the young men and women who gave their lives so that others could be free.
There are 8,301 American soldiers and airmen buried here. They died while fighting for the freedom of others during WWII. They died trying to make a better life for people they had never even met.
Don't think for one minute that the locals here don't appreciate their ultimate sacrifice. Every one of these graves has been adopted by a local family. They care for it, visit it, and put fresh flowers on it. This responsibility is passed down through the generations. It's not a burden. The consider it an honor to do something so simple for someone who did everything for them.
One of the speakers shared a story of how a family took apart a blanket in order to make a yellow ribbon to put upon one of the graves. Times were hard, and any fabric was hard to come by.
Memorial Day isn't just a day that you have off to grill out in the backyard. Take time to think about all of those who have given their lives for the freedom of others. People talk about their freedom and what's owed to them, but your Freedom isn't free. Someone else has paid the ultimate price for you. Others are serving in the military now and are fighting for your freedom every day. The least you can do it thank them for it.
"I guess heaven was needing a hero. Somebody just like you. Brave enough to stand up for what you believe and follow it through."
"When I try to make sense in my mind, the only conclusion I come to is that Heaven was needing a hero like you."
" Yes, Heaven was needing a hero...that's you." ~ Jo Dee
Messina
Today was the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. Unlike last year, the weather was a perfect tribute to the young men and women who gave their lives so that others could be free.
There are 8,301 American soldiers and airmen buried here. They died while fighting for the freedom of others during WWII. They died trying to make a better life for people they had never even met.
Don't think for one minute that the locals here don't appreciate their ultimate sacrifice. Every one of these graves has been adopted by a local family. They care for it, visit it, and put fresh flowers on it. This responsibility is passed down through the generations. It's not a burden. The consider it an honor to do something so simple for someone who did everything for them.
One of the speakers shared a story of how a family took apart a blanket in order to make a yellow ribbon to put upon one of the graves. Times were hard, and any fabric was hard to come by.
Memorial Day isn't just a day that you have off to grill out in the backyard. Take time to think about all of those who have given their lives for the freedom of others. People talk about their freedom and what's owed to them, but your Freedom isn't free. Someone else has paid the ultimate price for you. Others are serving in the military now and are fighting for your freedom every day. The least you can do it thank them for it.
"I guess heaven was needing a hero. Somebody just like you. Brave enough to stand up for what you believe and follow it through."
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