May 26, 2008

Happy Memorial Day!

This is Ross McGinnis. He is my third cousin. His grandpa, Tim and my dad were very close cousins as boys. Some of you may remember the story that was national news a few months ago about the young soldier who saw a grenade coming into his Humvee. His buddies in the Humvee had no idea what was happening so this soldier threw himself on the grenade to save his buddies. That soldier was Ross. Next Monday, his parents will be at the White House to receive a Medal of Honor for their son's bravery. Only one soldier and one Marine have received this medal since our war with Iraq and Afghanistan began.
You can read Ross's story here: http://www.iraqwarheroes.com/mcginnisra.htm
Freedom isn't free.
These brave young men and many just like them are fighting for our freedoms.
Thank you, Ross!
Thank you, Ryan and Josh and Joe and Brent and Luke!
You are in our prayers!
We'll keep a yellow ribbon 'round the maple tree until you're all home - safe and sound!
We've had a wonderful day enjoying the freedoms you are fighting for!
May God richly bless you!
God Bless America!
Land that I love!
Stand beside her and guide her
through the night with a Light from above!

We started out our wonderful Memorial Day with the parade and ensuing ceremony in the lovely city of Loveland. The American Legion put together an awesome program of music, a speech by a veteran of World War II, taps and a gun salute. The ladies of the American Legion were selling crepe paper poppies made by disabled veterans and their president gave a little speech with the story of the poppies, too.
My grandma always had one in her car so we got one for each of us.

This afternoon was spent with our friends, Wayne and Sharon Hutchinson and their family at their property. We enjoyed a yummy cookout, walk in the woods and lots of fun and fellowship. Thank you, Wayne, Sharon, Kaitlyn, Kyle, Katrina and Klayton!
You're wonderful friends!

We plan to end the day with a visit to Dan's brother, Dean's grave. We'll place some flowers there for his parents (we were already there Saturday) and then drive over to King's Island to watch the fireworks. Home for ice cream and off to bed - grateful for all the many wonderful freedoms we enjoy because of those who've given their lives for
our country and the freedoms it provides for it's citizens!

God Bless America!

1 comment:

Michelle said...

Denise, Thank you so much for sharing! It is so true and a story such as your cousin losing his life to save others is just one more reminder of just how much freedom is not free! And there are some that love our country enough to give there lives for it. We live in a great country but, I am afraid that most of the people that live here have forgotten that. Thanks for the reminder. Just as I do not want to forget where the Lord has brought me from I also do not want to forget that our freedom in this country is not free.