Memorial Day, Luxembourg American Cemetery

Front Gate

In front of operations map

I know that it’s been almost 2 weeks since Memorial Day, but gimme a break…it’s been less than 30 days – at least I’m actually posting it…with pictures! lol We had a wonderful time this year visiting the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial and I wanted to share the visit with you.

Our neighborhood Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts camped Friday to Sunday near the cemetery. The kids (and adults) cleaned the headstones (the flags and flowers were already laid) Friday evening. Birds, weather and white headstones don’t mix, so you can imagine the work that was done!

Saturday morning, the scouts raised the American and Luxembourg flags. The morning was overcast, not promising any peek of the sun.

The Memorial Day service began at 1400 with the Missing Man flyover by Spangdahlem’s USAF 52nd Fighter Wing. (It was sprinkling at this time…so can you imagine everyone face up to the sky to catch a glimpse of the planes?!)

Remarks were made by the United States Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Ann L. Wagner;



The Honorable Jean-Louis Schiltz, Minister for Defence and Cooperation


and Brigadier General Steven R. Lanza, Deputy Commanding General Fifth Corps of the United States Army Europe and Seventh Army.




(I won’t even begin to tell you how long it took me to find the proper names of the speakers. I was too busy trying to take the pictures and quieting Evelyn – so no notes!)After the speakers’ remarks, they ‘laid’ their wreaths and then the procession of flowers from other organizations began. Two scouts flanked an Airman as s/he carried the memorial flowers during the service. Jesse, Kyrsten, Gloria and Jonathan all participated. (Unfortunately, I had mistaken the path they would take and was on the other side of the service when they began. As soon as I realized this, I ran (clip-clopping in my heeled boots) across the granite, but to no avail…I was too late. So, the pictures of the kids aren’t very good and I didn’t even get one of Jess!)

middle white wreath from: the people of the United States of America

Jonny with his Pack's wreath

There are 5,076 American soldiers laid to rest here, including General George Patton, an Army nurse (Nancy J. Leo), 22 sets of brothers laid side by side and 101 Unknown Soldiers.

General George S. Patton's Grave

Unknown Soldier Headstone

At one point during the afternoon, we decided to take a family photo. While I was getting the camera ready, Jesse and Kyrsten were reading the names of nearby headstones when an older man approached the grave where they stood. He said he was there to visit the grave of his friend and briefly recounted his story, while laying his flower; he was there that day to remember him.

It was so humbling to walk through the cemetery, noting the bouquets of flowers and stones that mark the visits and thoughts of loved ones still living, to see how great the cost of freedom.

Headstone of Jewish soldier with remembrance stone

Gratitude. For those soldiers that gave their lives, for the people that are in today’s military, for the freedoms we have today because of duty, honor and the knowledge that freedom isn’t free. God bless America.

Remembering the Glory Days

Sorry for the long intermission! Lots of things have happened since the last time I blogged. The most traumatic being the death of my grandmother.

It happened rather quickly. One day I was talking to my grandfather (Poppop) and he said that my grandmother (Mommom) wasn’t doing well, that she had a cough that just wouldn’t go away. I knew that in the past Mommom had had coughs that stuck around, so I thought that this would be the same. You know, the next time I talked to her that she would finally have kicked it and was feeling better…

Sometime later, I get an email from my dad saying that he was at the airport, waiting for his flight and that he would meet up with his brother at some point and that they were going to be with his parents, as Mommom was in the hospital. I knew that my uncle hadn’t been to visit for many years and that if he felt the need to go that it must be urgent.

I was really at a loss – I really wanted to be there. I adore Mommom. I have great memories of her love and quiet strength, when I was a kid and especially after my mother passed away. On the other hand, 3 of my kids were in school, the oldest having AP (Advance Placement) exams coming in just a couple of weeks, my youngest still at home and my husband in the midst of craziness at work. How could I just up and leave all my responsibilities at home?!

My dear, sweet husband. He never hesitated when I said that I wanted to be with Mommom and Poppop. Every reason I brought up about why I couldn’t leave, he would say, “Don’t worry about it. Go. I know this is important to you.”

He made my flight arrangements and I was able to get out the next day. When I arrived, Poppop, my uncles and my dad were taking shifts to make certain that Mommom was never alone. She was the same as always, ever the wonderful hostess and caregiver – always making sure that everyone was taken care of even while she was lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask.

She said I shouldn’t have come – that it was such a long way, but how could I have not? I wanted her to know how much she means to me. How I treasure the memories of my childhood that include her, how much I had needed her after my mother passed away, and when I struggled with kids and family life? She was always there for me, just a phone call away.

It was difficult being in the hospital, watching and waiting. I was told that several years ago, Mommom had been diagnosed with a lung condition and at the time was given a life expectancy of 4-5 years. Boy, did she stay true to form and outlive that prognosis! That was the reason she was in the hospital. Her lungs were beginning to fail her and there was no way to stop it, only to help her manage the pain.

As I sat in the hospital with my grandparents, I was able to witness the love they have. Sometimes she would reach out and Poppop would hold her hand and they would share a look, no words, but such emotion would pass over their faces in that glance. It was heartbreaking to know that they would soon be separated.

It was amazing when it was time for the funeral arrangements, for the time of friends and family to come share their condolences. So many people. Mommom had touched many lives with her acts of love and friendship. It was like a reunion! And the stories…so many people had these great memories to share. It was joyful to hear about the adventures of my daughter’s namesake as she was growing up, a young mother and a kind friend.

What a legacy she left behind! I feel so blessed that myself and my family are able to be a part of it.

So This is Spring...

So, it's officially Springtime...and it's snowing outside my window. Big fat, fluffy 1/2 dollar size clusters of flakes! It was snowing this morning when I looked out around 0700 and it hasn't stopped, yet.

I'm not sure if I'm happy we finally have snow or ticked off that I won't be able to work in the yard this weekend! Last weekend the kids and I picked up the toys and the trash (from New Year's fireworks! Yeah, I'm a little behind.) It was a beautiful springy day...slightly overcast, balmy and NO SNOW. There are flowers and trees with new buds...poor things.

It's still snowing.

Thinking Day

So, this morning was not our typical try to sleep in while the kids watch cartoons in the next room kind of morning. First, I got up late 0700 - not late you say? My alarm went off at 0500, but I decided I wasn't ready, so I shut it off and went back to sleep.

Bad decision. I had a beef roast to boil and bake, a black bean spread to be made and used to frost some flat bread, 10 cups of rice to make, 10 passports to finish, all the while trying to get a shower, get dressed, etc., get 3 kids moving and doing the same to get on the road by 1000 to pick up 2 girls to arrive at our destination by 1045. Didn't happen quite like that.

Thankfully, Jesse's TDY didn't happen as planned and he was back last night, awaiting the new flight schedule. He was such a sweetheart this morning and helped the kids get ready, me get packed and on my way. Even with the extra help, I didn't get on the road until 1045.

It's 10:26 P.M. and I just finished another email for cub scouts and made a list for the Blue and Gold tomorrow afternoon...*deep breath*

I'll try to get some pics up from Thinking Day tomorrow and maybe even the Blue and Gold...really.

{hugs}

angi

Where did the time go?

So, 2 weeks have gone by and the pace at home hasn't changed much. It's 1230, like in a.m. and I am now just getting a few moments to myself! Jesse was gone part of this week. Off visiting another country (again) and that left me all the driving for the week! Not complaining, it's just the way it is.

I am truly enjoying my last year of sharing my days with one of the kids. Evelyn will start kindergarten in the fall and I am already preparing for those "lonely" days. I've started attending a monthly craft class (I'm starting small!) and am working on organizing the family photos and my craft room - so I can do something with the photos!

Trying to downsize the commitments - but I struggle with this one. I'd rather be at the school volunteering or planning the next GS meeting - the laundry and dishes will still be there when I get home! I have gotten so used to being busy (not necessarily productive, though) that I'm not sure what I will do when Evelyn goes to school...I doubt it will take me long to figure this one out! Leave me some suggestions in the comments!

Here's a little something from Evelyn:

Evelyn: I can't wait for Daddy to grow up!

Me: Why is that?

Evelyn: He'll be funner when he doesn't have to go to work!

Does that mean I'm all grown up?!

{hugs!}

angi