In Honor of Joe and All Members of our Armed Forces

Thank you to all the members of our Armed Forces who are currently serving, to those who gave their lives for us and to those who have served our country in the past.

Joe served in the The 101st Airborne Division ("Screaming Eagles") He also played the trombone in the 

101st Airborne Division Band 

I'm sorry the picture is so blurry, This picture hung in his mom's room until she died then I passed it on to his son Rob.

This picture was taken at a Veterans Park in Buckley, Washington. He also loved visiting air bases and air shows. The weren't many military planes he couldn't tell you about. 

But the F-15 "Screaming Eagle" was his favorite. He called them "The Boyz." It didn't matter if he was cleaning the car, pitching horseshoes, or working in the yard. Everything came to a stop, as he watched them pass over until he could no longer see them.

I went to Willamette National Cemetery this morning. The gates opened at 8:00AM and I thought if I was there at that time then traffic wouldn't be an issue.....WRONG!! But it wasn't as bad as it would be a couple hours later. 

It was a somber but beautiful scene. Every grave had a flag beside it.All placed by boy scouts.

This could be a tough week for me. The key word is "could be" Not only is it Memorial Day weekend, but It is a big horseshoe tournament weekend.And those who knew Joe knew he loved horseshoes and Pickleball. Then a week later...June 4th, would have been our 14th wedding anniversary.
I have said a  a couple of times but mostly on my Facebook page. JOY is my word for the year. That doesn't mean there aren't tears over special memories past. But I don't stay stuck there. I think of things that make me smile now. Like there is a very tall, dying fir tree at the cemetery that's not going to be standing much longer....That's been my marker to find the section of the cemetery where Joe's buried. I now laugh to myself every time I see it. But I've just about got a new landmark memorized so when the tree is gone I can still find my Joe.
Instead of avoiding the horseshoe tournament.... I'm going to go watch. I have a lot a friends that will be there. They miss Joe too. So what better way for me to be there and cheer them on and visit with the wives.

And on June 4th, I will spend the day with a very special couple that we met on our travels about ten years ago. We did so many things together including playing games, eating together, sightseeing. We've supported each other when spouses were sick, prayed together.  It will be a Joyful day.....because I choose Joy. "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b