~MEMORIAL DAY...THE REAL CELEBRATION~

MY SWEET BABY - 1982

(Pretending to be a Naval Officer)

It was impossible for me to comprehend when I dressed my baby boy up in this fresh white Sailor Suit that one day he would wear a real uniform...

BRANDON KENT NELSON
United States Air Force
(Enlistment Day 2003)

A little over twenty years later. at the tender age of 21, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Brandon served state-side (Thank You, God) as a Computer Programmer. At his graduation from Basic Training the the tears fell like rain. We were Post 9-11 and the fear of the unknown overwhelmed his very proud father and I...

We placed him in God's hands as he followed in the footsteps of...

William Philip Elliott
(United States Marine Corp - 1979)

...my brother, Bill, one of the few, the proud, and the strong! He served our Nation in many places, including far away lands like the Philippines. He attained the rank of Sargent when only 19. He took after our...

William Edgar Elliott
(United States Navy - 1956)

...dearly beloved, father, who honorably served our Country for ten sacrificial years! He was an Atomic Veteran who loved the sea and longed to return. Years later the exposure to toxic levels of radiation frightened him~ I believe some of his health issues today directly link back to his military service.

He often referred to his father-in-law, my grandfather. and how he...

PHILIP WEBSTER MARTIN
(United States Army Air Corp - 1945)

...eagerly enlisted when he was well past thirty years of age in the United States Army Air Corp. He served as a Tail Gunner in WWII and shot down many enemy planes. Some of his hearing loss was attributed to the loud sounds from his weapon.

~*~
This weekend AMERICA celebrates Memorial Day. It is a time to reverence the lost and those who sacrificially gave all they had. Our beautiful Nation owes it's freedom to the thousands of men and women who once willingly served our Country and are still serving today.

It is my prayer as we holiday at the lake, shop 'til we drop, gulp down the burgers and drink up the soda that we will remember the lives lost and the broken hearts of those left behind.

~*~
Thank you Michael Weigel, my son-in-law, National Guardsman, who has already completed two tours in Afghanistan...we pray you don't have to return...

Thank you, Jayson Bybee, my nephew, who just enlisted in the National Guard...

Thank you, Nathan Nelson, my nephew, who is currently serving our Country in Iraq...we are praying for your safe return...

Thank you. Brandon, my son, for stepping forward and giving up friend and dear one when you left us. We know what your sacrifices were. You served your Country proud...and you blessed your daddy & momma... and changed the future of your tiny Miss K...

Thank you Bill, my brother, who showed us that at 17 a boy can be a real man...

Thank you, Daddy, for your sufferings...I pray to heaven someone besides your four children care... We will never forget...

Thank you, Grampa...Your courage in the face of danger has taught me to never fear the unknown for victory cometh to those who fight on...

Thank you, God for freedom...

Blessings to you as we remember...Rebecca