Memorial Day memories and traditions

It's good to remember, to look back, reflect on our days, consider those who came before us and gave so much of themselves to make a better life for us. 

This Memorial Day I reflect on my Mother's military service. She was always a patriot at heart and joined the Women's 484th Army Air Force in 1944 leaving high school just prior to graduation. She served in Topeka, Kansas processing crews preparing to go overseas.  While in the army she participated in a women's synchronized swimming team.

 

Both of my parents proudly served and have often told us stories of their experiences. It's a good thing to listen to, to remember and to pass on.

  

It was probably one of those Sunday afternoon conversations that turned to a discussion of what clothes they could still fit into. Here is Mom and Dad showing off - Dad still fit in his Army jacket and Mom fit in her wedding dress.

 

Memorial Day starts with breakfast at the American Legion. Gathered there are the veterans that will be participating in the parade, and later performing ceremonies at area cemeteries.  The guns they use in the gun salute are lined up there. Here is Mom checking out the photo wall of other local veterans.

 

Mom never wanted to miss the Memorial Day services held in the memorial park next to the library, just a few blocks from the home where I grew up.  Here are Mom and Dad observing the services.

 

 

Here are Mom and Dad comparing notes with one of the parade participants. 

 

Headed home, talking it over...

 

 

Later in the day our tradition is to visit the cemeteries where family members have been laid to rest,  the Fitchville Cemetery for my Dad's side of the family and the Hester Cemetery for my Mom's side of the family. Here is the American Legion members performing a gun salute at the Fitchville Cemetery. 

 

 

On this occasion we were visiting the Hester Cemetery, across the road from the Hester Homestead constructed by my great-great-great grandfather Martin Hester and his son Martin M. Hester. We were pulling out of the drive when we saw Mom's younger brother pulling in the drive with his step-daughters. Here I am with my parents and Uncle Bob.

 

At my Mother's funeral service these American Legion members approached the casket one at a time, stepped back and saluted her.  It touched me deeply. I'm thankful for their service in showing deep respect and honor for those of their comrades who have passed on.

 

 

 

With love and gratitude for all you have meant to us, you are fondly remembered and deeply missed.

 

Elizabeth Ann Hester Phillips, 9/20/23 - 9/16/2013

 

 

 

Mom Memories

This is my first Mother's Day without my mother. So I'm tapping in to my treasury of good memories to comfort the ache in my heart. 

So often when I'm in the kitchen trying a new recipe or stirring up something from scratch I'm sure it goes back to my mother's patient teaching.  Even when I was little Mom would "let me help" with things in the kitchen. She would pull a chair up to the counter for me to stand on so I could help stir up a batch of cookies .

When I'm persevering through a challenging task it's largely because she made the effort to build in good character traits like not giving up when things get hard.

When I'm learning a new skill I can almost hear her say, "You can do it!" like she must have said countless times when teaching me how to tie a shoe or do a book report or sew a hem.

All the hours she spent leading my Girl Scout troop or helping me with my merit badges reflected her gift for helping kids acquire knowledge and learn new skills. What a gift she was to my peers as well.

My love for the outdoors and exploring nature certainly must have been nurtured by all the time we spent playing outdoors instead of sitting in front of the TV.

When I was just three she gave my older brother and I a book for Christmas entitled "Tell Me About Jesus." It must have been one of those books that we asked her to read to us over and over because it is well worn. She was beginning to build the foundation for the strong faith in Christ I have today. There is nothing more important.

Her bond of love with her family was evident even into her last days, in spite of being overtaken by dementia. The most poignant moment for me was when I was sitting with her in the nursing home in early September 2013.  We were waiting for the ambulette to take her to the hospital for x-rays.  She had fallen the night before and was quite agitated. Even so she reached out to me and asked me to give her a kiss. Of course, I did. I gave her many in fact. I asked her to give me a kiss and she did. 

That was to be my last coherent conversation with her.  The x-rays revealed another broken hip.  She became increasingly agitated with all the medical personnel working with her. Her condition rapidly declined and she passed several days later.

I'd like to think that somehow she knew the end was close and she wanted to make sure we had a good-bye kiss.

Thank you Mom for all the beautiful memories, and so much more.  I'm looking forward to seeing you again...

All my love
Debby

She knew how to have a good time! I love the sparkle in her eyes and the joy she shared with me.