Thank You

Many are celebrating this Memorial Day weekend with family and friends.  I hope that sometime during this day time was taken to think about and thank those that have served our wonderful country and given the ultimate sacrifice.  I know I'm so grateful to those in my family and friends of ours who have served and thankfully returned home.  It's the heroes left on the battlefields in all the wars that we celebrate and honor today.   The cemeteries have been decorated and I will stop this week and see the area where many Civil War soldiers are buried in Ashland. A generous donor paid to have it cleaned up and refurbished.   Jack and I went downtown this morning for the annual parade.   Small towns all around us were also having parades...wish I could have seen them all!  Here's just a few snippets from our town.

The downtown area has been going through a revitalization and the past few years the flowers have been donated to make the streets really pretty. I love this year's selection! 

People were starting to line up to watch the parade.

Amazingly an announcement was made to remind folks to remove their hats and put their hands over their hearts when the flag passes.  I can't believe people don't know that!  There was even a sign preceding the parade....Hats Off!

Two war veterans meeting for the first time.  Our friend Greg (on the left) fought in Vietnam, and our new friend (we think his name is Ben...sorry if I've messed that up!) fought in Korea.  Thanks so much guys!

Our son Phil is the manager of the Safetlite store in Mansfield and he decorated one of the vans and joined the parade this morning.  Good job Phil!

Our Granddaughter Addy and her sister Lexi helped pass out goodies on the parade route for Safelite.  Lex was on the other side of the street so I couldn't get her pic.  They had a good time!

After the parade it was time to head home and do some outdoor stuff.   The deck is ready and waiting for some visitors!

Jack was up early this morning and planted a new apple tree. 

Never heard of this kind so we'll just have to wait a few years to try it out!

We've got some on the other tree!  It's been about 3 years since we planted this Jonagold and I'm looking forward to a little crop.

I'm going to end with a pic of my peony bushes.  2 are fairly large with a smaller one that hopefully will grow like the others.  We always had peonies when I was growing up and they always bloomed around Memorial day.    I planted these to remind me of home and the end of this month that kicks off the beginning of the Summer season.   Hope your weekend was special  and that we never forget those that we honor on this day.