Memorial Day Festivities

So I came back to Tri-Cities the night before Memorial Day weekend. I had to work the next day. I guess that it's an unwritten law that employees are required to "volunteer" on Memorial Day. This is only 1 of 4 paid vacation days we get throughout the year... but whatever. So I ended my weekend short and came back to work the following day at the Cemetery for the Memorial Day Service. I'm telling you... it was incredible. The speakers said things from their hearts that made you think about the blessings and joys you have living here in the US and those that have fought for the freedom we so often take for granted. The singer was phenomenal and my favorite that he sang was God Bless the USA. I got goosebumps and shivers during that song. It was incredible. I wish everyone could have been there.

But before I go any further... I will explain what Linzey and Landon are doing below. They woke up sooooo early and Linzey decided to play dress up. She was the queen and she made Landon a prince with a robe. hahaha I took this picture as I was heading out the door. They were so cute that morning. :)



I made it to the Funeral Home located above the Cemetery and chilled with Miss Tiffany while we waited for Jeannine to arrive so we could all walk down together. When Jeannine arrived and we started out... my camera shots started then too! This is Me, Tiffany, and Jeannine. We all work as office managers at the funeral homes that Mueller's owns. I am at Mueller's Chapel of the Falls. Tiffany at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home. Jeannine at Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home. We are the three amigos at work and love to share our funny blunders with one another... sometimes only things that other Funeral employees would relate to. :)
(can you tell there was a breeze right then?)



I had to get a picture of the Tank that's located on our way down to the Memorial Day Service. Jeannine and I have never really seen it so I made her get in the picture with me.



We make it down, after a few minutes of walking and chatting, to the Ceremony spot in the Cemetery and I loved how many flags there were there. Picture this picture and then looking to both sides and seeing hundreds of graves covered with mini flags placed where veterans have been laid to rest.



During the service there was this gentleman who came and plopped down on the grass near us. I didn't think or give him a second glace after the service started. And then one of the speakers called each branch of the military veterans to stand. I was touched and took notice a little more when he stood after the Navy had been called. For some reason it was a lesson to me. You can't tell outwardly if someone has served or not... regardless they need to be thanked. So this is my thank you to this gentleman who seemed invisible to me until he stood.



This was my favorite speaker that day. He is an officer with the Benton County Sheriff's Dept. During his speach at the closing he asked us to raise our hand in the air if we would fight, to our death if it's needed, against any army/nation that was invading our country. Every woman and man, whether old or young, and every child that understood raised their hand. There wasn't one hand left down. And each of us truly meant it. He then stated that we ARE the most powerful nation because of that one fact. Every citizen of this country would fight to the death for the freedom we enjoy. No wise country would ever come against us. This is why many respect the US Military.
His speech was moving. Empowering. Thought provoking. Deeply refreshing. Stirring.



There were 3 brothers that were standing side by side most of the service and I thought it was very cool. It caught my eye when the songs were being sung that they all were standing exactly the same. The oldest to the youngest of these young men had their hats off and hands placed behind their backs. Before I could get that picture the oldest one replaced his hat on his head. But I still felt it worthy of a picture.



After the service, we sought out... ok... I sought out Jess Reiland. I had never seen him in his military uniform. You see... Jess is the one we contact when the family has requested Military Honors for their loved one. So Jess makes that happen with the Veteran of Foreign Wars. I had to get a picture with us and him.




As we went back down to the tented area to help families find their loved ones graves, we realized that Denise and Lauri were packed up and gone! But while we were standing there (not knowing where they went) a very nice young man came up and gave us a heartfelt thank you for the Memorial Day Service that was done for those who had passed away after serving in the Military. His hat said that he was a World War II Veteran and I was so struck by his stories and personality I asked if I could get a picture with him. Thankfully he accepted and believe me... he was strong when he put his arm around me to hug me close for the picture! I loved this man, even if we only had a breif encounter.



Before we headed back up to the Funeral home and our cars, I had to get a photo of this sight. This isn't Christ as I had once thought. It is a Saint that I can't recall at the moment. But what struck me was the statue surrounded by the many US Flags.



And a closer view of the statue... One day I will go and read the inscription underneath it.



After wards there was a lunch provided by the owners for those who helped out. We went of course because we all were starving and tired of standing in the sun.

Below is Rob. He is one of the Funeral Directors here. He is slim, but I don't know how he keeps it slim when he devoured the 4-5 pieces of pizza stacked in front of him.
Amazing appetite.



Then the infamous Brad. He is so funny if you can't tell from the photo. :)
He loves to have a good time and is also another Funeral Director. He is LDS and his wife, Nelda, makes THE BEST powdered chex mix that I've ever had!



This would be Jim. Jim loves to give me a hard time in the mornings as he's leaving the Funeral Director Meetings which he conducts. And I just love to give him a hard time right back. :) I love to spoil the Funeral Directors with treats and sweets. That way they'll bring me more cases and I won't be so bored during the day.... but bored for me is good for families...



Here are the three guys together... Jim, Rob, and Bradley making sure he's in the shot. hahaha



After I got home I realized how red I was because I had thought with the cloud cover we had that I wouldn't get sunburnt... yeah... as you can tell I was really wrong.
Here is my sister, Leah, and me.

In the end my nose and chest were peeling... but thankfully it only lasted a day!
Next time I will have some SPF Sunscreen on no matter what type of forecast it is!