How do you celebrate Memorial Day? I celebrate by remembering what the day is means. (wiki) This is a US federal holiday where the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.
My husband and I celebrate the morning by attending our local cemetery: Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights.
Memorial Day is a day that allows me to look back and think of my parents. My Dad, is a WWII veteran. He was so excited about the WWII monument being built and was hoping that he would be able to visit it. My husband and I were very lucky to visit the World War II monument while it was being built. We sent and brought back lots of pictures for him. Unfortunately, he was not able to make the trip before he passed away in 2006. But he loved the pictures and all the Internet coverage. My husband and I were able to visit the WWII monument again after it was complete. It is a-w-e-s-o-m-e!! NO pictures or description does it justice. If you have the opportunity to visit the area please take advantage of it.
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So here is my recognition and celebration of two veterans from WWII - my Dad and Mom. I am very proud of both of you.
Dad: Lt Col John Patterson GARDNER Jr born in Alliance Ohio 1917 and passed away in 2006. I wished he could have made the trip to Washington DC one more time but it was not to be. His ashes will be mixed and buried with my mothers ashes (when the time comes) and buried at the new Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.
Dad was attached to the 119th Infantry 30th Division/ European arena. They were both honorably discharged.
Dad then reenlisted in the Army and served well over 20 years before retiring as a Lt. Col. from the Presidio in San Francisco, California
Mom: Mary Jane (LITTLE) GARDNER born in Cuba New York 1920 and still living in Citrus Heights California
She is also a veteran from WWII- attached to the Nursing Corp- European & Africa Arenas
Just a little about the WWII Monument: On April 29, 2004, the National World War II Memorial opens in Washington, D.C., to thousands of visitors, providing overdue recognition for the 16 million U.S. men and women who served in the war. The memorial is located on 7.4 acres on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The Capitol dome is seen to the east, and Arlington Cemetery is just across the Potomac River to the west........... It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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The idea for this monument was suggested formally in 1987 and it took 17 years of legislative, legal and artistic arguments to see this project through to the end on April 29, 2004. The Federal Government donated $16 million to the memorial fund and another $164 million in private donations to get it built. On May 29, 2004 it was formally dedicated by US President George W Bush. It is awesome!!
World War II Monument images
lots of awesome images so give it time to load, it is worth it
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