This was a post from 2016. The tradition of service from The Sisters has been going on for years. Unfortunately, not all of them could make it this year, but the tradition continues.

This weekend I was fortunate to spend time with my Mother and her sisters (aka The Sisters). We always have so much fun, and our time together is such a blessing to me.

Being Memorial Day weekend, I watched The Sisters dutifully attend to the graves of their loved ones. As I stood there in the cemetery watching them decorate the headstones with flowers and placing American flags near the men who had served in the military, I marveled at the devotion these dear ladies have towards those who have passed into life eternal; a husband, a child, their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and friends. No one was left out, and each life was remembered through the kindness of my Mother and her sisters.

I’m grateful that we, as a Nation, have a special day set aside to honor all those who have given their life defending our freedoms and liberties. These men and women have given all that we may have all:

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

The number of lives that have been given in the fight for, and the keeping of, our freedoms here in America is astounding. In the initial pursuit of freedom, 25,000 lives were lost during the Revolutionary War, almost 600,000 during the Civil War, during both World Wars there were over 500,000 lives sacrificed; Korea and Vietnam over 144,000. Hundreds of thousands of graves all over the world, mark the place of sacrifice where brave, heroic men and women have stood between America and those who want to destroy her.

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” 

–Joseph Rodman Drake