Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to remember the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who served and protected our country and our freedoms.

 

It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.

 Sargent Jerry Mac Griffis

Vietnam 

US Army Sentry K-9 Dog Handler

 It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

PFC John A. Griffis (my grandfather)

US Army WWII

 It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the right to free speech.
It is the Soldier who serves beneath the flag, who salutes the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives the demonstrator the right to burn the flag.

John A. Griffis & Clara Dell Ince-Griffis- also known as Big John and Mema.

Mema deserves a "Thank You" as well.

She had to work in factories while Big John was away at war. I think most women spent long hours working while their husbands were away in order to make ends meet.

It was "hard times" back then...

I am thankful to come from a family that has served our country and protected our freedoms. I wish I had a picture of all of them to post, but I don't. I have many, many relatives that have served...

It is a gift to be free,

but not a gift that comes freely. 

To all who serve or have served,

To all of their families who sacrifice time apart,
and to all those who never came home,
Thank You and God Bless You.