in memoriam

Memorial Day can certainly mean different things to different people. Regardless of the three or four day weekend and the monday bbq's and pool parties, it is a day to remember those who have died in service to our country.

I learned today, in church actually, that the first Memorial Day was celebrated by freed slaves that paid their respects to a graveyard of union soldiers. There was a mass grave where fallen union soldiers were thrown and the former slaves basically exhumed their bodies and gave them individual graves. It's a pretty interesting story- I had never heard before (or if I had in school, I never paid any attention).

I thought for this year's Memorial Day I would share some pictures of two men in my family that served in the Navy. Neither of them died (well they have both died...) but neither died in service. Both of them were named Robert (a pretty popular name in my family) and I am sure that they both knew of many men who did die in the service.

Great Grandpa Robert

That's him on the right. Look at those sweet sailor outfits!

Great Uncle Robert (on the left)

and, now on the right. I love this one, I think it looks like an old ad. And I am pretty sure there is a sign up for a 30 cent cocktail...

Thanks men, and ladies. Both then and now.