Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Today is the traditional Memorial Day which was changed to
the last Monday in May so we could have three day weekend. This is also my folks’ anniversary. As kids we
were led to believe that the Memorial Day parade through town was for their anniversary.

On our way back from Delaware we stayed for a couple days
with my sister Lynn. She lives a couple miles from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Dad is buried there and Mom’s ashes interred with him. A number of other
relatives are there too. My Mom’s cousins Bep (Cyril) and Shirl are both there. She was raised with them and we always called them our uncles. Lynn’s husband Jack has his ashes interred there and
his brother Ronnie is buried there too. The cemetery isn’t just for those that
have fallen in combat. It’s open for any ex-serviceman or service woman. When
it’s time for me to be checking out the wrong side of the grass I could be planted
there if I wanted.

Being Memorial Day weekend there was a display of over 7,000
small American flags, one for each active duty serviceman and servicewoman that
has fallen since 9/11.

Dad. Notice the birds have slightly defiled his side of the gravestone.

Mom. Notice the birds have not defiled the side belonging to the person that fed them.

Jack.

Ronnie.

Uncle Bep.

Uncle Shirl

Some of the many who have served.

Some of the many who have served.

Thanks.

So now we are back in Okemos, leaving behind the land of
scrapple, bacon, and many things dipped in butter. I would so fail a cholesterol
test right now. We had a good trip. Time with friends and family, lots of good
eating. Lots of play time, and being near the ocean. Tough to beat that
combination.

I got 61 bird species for the year and Lise got 68. That
brings me to 226 for the year and Lise to 217. Saw some other cool critters
too.