Memorial Day

I have been on vacation, and I know that my post on Memorial Day is late!  I have been incredibly  busy and I just have not had time to write at all!

My family and I joined my mom and step-dad on vacation in Washington DC for the Marine Corps parade.  Ross (my step dad) and his brother Maxie (who was also with us) were both in the Marine Corps.  Upon landing in Maryland and getting our rental van our first stop was the Iwo Jima Memorial.  There we saw a group of Marines marching and practicing their presentation for Memorial Day.  We watched and took a few pictures, and moved on. 

The next thing I know Cam was over talking to the soldiers, shaking their hands and thanking them for serving our country! You know I was a proud mama!  The soldier looked over at me, told me what a wonderful son I had and called his men to line up for a picture with "this fine young man". 

Cam w/ the Marines

We walked around the memorial and I just couldn't believe the detail in the statue!  It was really amazing, I'm not sure what was more amazing the size or the detail.  I guess you just can't believe this until you see it in person.  As we walked back around to join our group I noticed this group of kids, shaking the hands of Ross (my step dad) and Maxie (his brother) thanking them for their service.  We almost never got out of there because of all the kids coming up!

I was so touched I almost cried.  I know that I talk a lot about Mrs. P.  A lady I've never met in my life, but I thought of her so much over the weekend.  While I was walking around at the Marine Corps Museum I was looking at the bricks bought for the fallen hero's and I just cried for her and her daughter.  I know that it's strange to hurt for someone you don't know but they were really on my heart all weekend.

We made it back safely and had a wonderful trip.  We visited several memorials including the Vietnam Wall where I found two names of people my dad served with.  I can't tell you what it was like transferring their names onto a piece of paper for him.  Walking by men that served in that war on their knees with tears streaming down their faces.  It was surreal. I will post more pictures when I can.

For my TYVM Thursday I would like to say this:

To all the men and women (and their spouses) that have served our country.  Thank you so very much for the freedoms that we have today and for protecting our nation and our way of life.  I am truly grateful.

To the children that were shaking the hand of my Step dad and his brother - thank you very much you made our trip so much more special. You made us all so proud.

To the servicemen that actually took the time to speak to my son - thank you very much you have no idea how that makes him feel.

To the service men that made it a point to tell me what a "fine young man" I have, and how shocked that they are that he is so respectful.  Thank you very much a mama never gets tired of someone else praising their child! (I bet 10 people came to me saying this over the weekend!)

To my child who continued to shake the hands of every soldier that you could find: thank you very much for being the great person that you are!  I love you so much!

Now head over to Kmama's and link up for this weeks TYVM!