This weekend here in the US is Memorial Day weekend. It’s a great time (no matter where you live) to spend a moment thinking of the people who have given their lives in service of your country.
I got taken to task about the appropriate way to celebrate/talk about Memorial Day a couple of years ago, so it’s now on my list of things I try to avoid mentioning, but I do think it’s worth remembering.
Though we have had many people who served in the military in my family, none died in the rendering of their duty. We are definitely blessed in that regard.
If you have a family member (or friend!) who died in service, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
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New Releases
May 2020
The Trouble With Love (Faith & Fortune 1) by Toni Shiloh
A Date for Daisy (Bloom Sisters 1) by Tara Grace Ericson
Whatever Happens Next (Everyday Love 4) by Jaycee Weaver
June 2020
Lavished with Lavender (Urban Farm Fresh Romance 9) by Valerie Comer
The Cowboy’s Missing Memory (Hill Country Cowboys) by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
The Black Sheep’s Salvation (Rocky Mountain Family) by Deb Kastner
Meet the Moms (Matchmaking Moms of Oceanview Church 1) by Laurie Larsen
Second Chance Gift (Pinecrest 2) by Merrillee Whren
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Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Hi Elizabeth! Happy Memorial Day to all writers and reader! Enjoy the weekend. Nice to be able to be outdoors and enjoy the deck and patio. Rained overnight and is foggy this morning. Birds are chirping. Best wishes.
Hi Elizabeth your Memorial weekend is like our ANZAC day to a degree. ANZAC day stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps and its when we remember the landing at Gallipoli in WW1. We remember those who died to give us freedom in all wars. Its April 25th. this year instead of the normal dawn service many went to there front gates at 6am with a candle and had a minute silence and played the last post.
I had 2 great uncles who died in WW1. One was Dads uncle and he died at Gallipoli he died on day 4 of the campaign. Mum’s uncle died and is buried in Belgium. He won the Australian Military Cross for bravery. While none died in WW2 dad, his brother, Sister and her future husband all served (Sister and her husband in the airforce). On mum’s side her brother while couldn’t fight was a transport driver, and her sister was a nurse in New Guinea, 1 brother in law was a Japanese prisoner of war and her other brother in law was a member of the X force which is a spy force which we didn’t find out about til after he died.
I’m sitting here listening to the birds singing myself. It’s a lovely start to the day.
Enjoy your memorial day weekend.
I had seen friends mention ANZAC day before but not looked up what it was – thanks for the explanation. The candle s sound like an excellent way to celebrate this year.
You have so many brave family members – what a great legacy.
I’ve had many family members serve in the military, going back to the Civil War, during WWII, Vietnam, and during times of peace. Thankfully, we also never lost a member during a battle. I also have many friends who have served. This weekend is a great reminder to be thankful for all of the freedoms we have. Ausjenny, I’ll have to ask my niece’s hubby if he know about ANZAC, since I had to explain Boxing Day to him!! He is a Kiwi. They live in Welllington.
I finally got an explanation of Boxing day this year. It’s an interesting tradition.
My cousin, Steven died in Afghanistan while serving in the Army. We have many, many military family members, but he’s the first I know of who died in service. He was two weeks away from his 21st birthday and even now, more than 15 years later, it doesn’t seem real or true.
Heartbreaking! I’m sorry for your loss, but grateful for his willingness to serve
Thank you for the post, Elizabeth! Most every male member of my family has served in the military, and currently a nephew is a former Marine, Army soldier and now going into the National Guard. He claims he is building his resume to be in the Space Military soon….
I had an uncle be killed in Vietnam, but two other uncles did survive and come home from that war.
The Space Force is so exciting to me. I wanted to be an astronaut for so long growing up.
My husband’s family lost 2 of 3 uncles who served in WWII. I always admired the wives that were left behind to raise their children. It wasn’t easy for either one; they struggled. It’s a great sacrifice – all who go and serve, even those who return physically unscathed. Some wounds simply aren’t visible.
My heart goes out to those families this wkend. <3 Thank you isn’t enough.
Oh wow – two of three is super hard! And yes, the families at home who kept things going in the midst of so much loss are also heroes in my mind.
Happy Memorial Day! While I have had many friends & family members who served in different branches of the military and all different wars I am blessed to never have lost anyone. A friend’s son lost a leg in Afghanistan but gratefully not his life! I have the utmost respect for anyone who served! My cousin moved home in 2012 and I have taken many trips around the world through her stories which is awesome! Talking to one of my best friends through her time in Desert Shield & Storm gave me a very real look at the daily struggles she faced, heightening my appreciation of what all of these amazing service members & their families went through!
Thank you to you all who went through these trying times to secure my freedom!
Our family has both lost many members during war and had many return home. As well as having family on both sides of conflicts. My grandfather returned injured from WW1 and though as AusJenny states we remember our veterans on ANZAC Day in Australia, we were raised to commemorate Remembrance Day and honour all with a minutes silence at 11am on the 11th of November, which was armistice for WW1. In the earlier wars so many young men were targeted for recruitment from the country as they were crack shots. This was a time when God and Country were foremost and that was why they voluntarily enlisted to serve. It is quite different now for enlistment, but the toll that war takes on both the veterans, their families and friends can still be utterly devastating.
I love that you’ve had so much exposure and conversation with folks who were there first hand – I know for many, it’s easy to think of service as something other people do.
The toll is definitely high – I think it’s one of the reasons it’s good to remember on the various days of the year that are set aside, but also to try and remember on the days that are not set aside – because the service continues on those days.
Happy Memorial Day. We have lots of veterans in our family but thankfully no one died there.
That’s a blessing for sure!
Our son-in-love and his wife (our daughter-in-love) are both ex military. The military life is a hard one. We are deeply grateful to still have them both. They and their two daughters have served with honor.
The day always reminds me of the young boy who was looking at a plaque at his church, recognizing those who had given their lives at war. The pastor came up to him and explained, “Those are the men and women who have died in the service”. The little boy looked up at him and asked, “Was that the 8:30 or the 11 o’clock service?”…All give some. Some give all. :)
Having visited memorials like Pearl Harbor and the Vietnam Wall in D.C., plus battlegrounds around the US from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, really puts perspective on those willing to lose their life in service to one’s country. The emotions felt there looking at the names of those lost in battle is almost overwhelming.
That’s a great joke 😁
My hubby was only military for four years but yes, it’s definitely a tough life. Those who serve are amazing.
Yes! I love that the tone down near the Vietnam Memorial is always somber – other areas on the mall in DC can be loud and full of chatter – but I’m grateful that they keep respect when they near the war memorials