Freedom Is Not Free

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Happy Memorial Day 2025

Three of us together
We hold our Flag up high
With love and honor always
As colors fill the sky

We pause here for a moment
So each of you will know
Were perfectly united
We love our country so

Each one of us give tribute
For freedom that does reign
In every part of county
Allegiance all the same

Me and my two companions
No matter where we go
Thankful for our freedom
With honor now we show

So join us in this moment
To honor what is best
America United
In God we Trust so blest.

~Poem by Francine Pucillo~

Within the book of heroes
These names shall all stand out
With love for God and Country
For them there was no doubt

For courage born inside them
Was paved along their way
Each one throughlife we honor
Within our hearts will stay

They walk the fields of glory
In finest of God's glow
Upon our lives a shadow
Forever we shall know

For courage in an instant
Will live on endlessly
For every solider marching
Their steps heard constantly

To God and Man the glory
Of every shining Light
That brought to us a victory
With most courageous fight

Their names in life be written
For heroes came our way
Upon the soil of foreign fields
Their thunder heard each day.

Memorial Day Poem

The beauty of the sky above, the snow capped mountains pure
The eagle flies on wings of air, above the mountains soar
A gentle fog hangs in the valley, shrouding trees of green
Fragrant flowers cast a glow along a mountain stream
Hear the shriek above the clouds, the call of eagles wings
Floating on a cloud so pure, his heart begins to sing
The flight of God's creation, his wings begin to soar
He hears the call of freedom, above the rivers roar

Smooth as glass the water's flow, the land begins to sing
The colors drench the mountain top behind the eagle's wings
Prism's form on crusty snow against the suns bright flow
Reflecting our great country, the land of freedom glows

Stars of white against the blue, the stripes flow with the breeze
Standing in awe we salute our flag, standing so proud and tall
Through wars and tribulation, celebrations, days of peace
Our country stands with pride and power because it is unique

by Sand * * *

Happy Memorial Day from us!

Meowmie Aurora and Sammy below:

History of Memorial Day

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. It began during the Civil War when organized women's groups in several towns throughout the South decorated the graves of the Confederate war dead with flowers, wreaths and flags. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. After the Civil war many people in the North and South decorated graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. In the Spring of 1866, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, suggested that the patriots who had died in the Civil War should be honored by decorating their graves. General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk, embraced the idea and a committee was formed to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead. Townspeople made wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast. On May 5 of that year, a processional was held to the town's cemeteries, led by veterans. The town observed this day of remembrance on May 5 of the following year as well.

Decoration Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed officially on May 30, 1868. The South did not observe Decoration Day, preferring to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day, and soldiers who had died in other wars were also honored.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. Today, Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season in the United States. It is still a time to remember those who have passed on, whether in war or otherwise. It also is a time for families to get together for picnics, ball games, and other early summer activities.

Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The occasion is also marked in almost every State on the last Monday in May. Several southern states, however, have an additional, separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

You bet your stripes we love you
You're loyal brave and true
Finest of all people
This flag is raised for you

Proud to see you standing
Hearts all filed with pride
Blending of all people
All nations born inside

American the beautiful
I'm always standing by
Waving flag of glory
with wing of love abide

Stars and stripes forever
what glory in this weave
Love is shining endlessly
Blessings we receive

Together as one people
we'll keep this nation strong
Hands all joing together
We always will belong

Keep the fire buring
That makes us so aware
The glory of this nation
Is freedome that we share.

~Poem by Francine Pucillo~

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Shadows fall upon us
With glitter and with gleam
For Veterans united
Upon the earth esteemed

Each one our inspiration
For love that they did give
With honor to their country
They fought so we could live

Within the fields of battle
Upon the foreign shores
Each Veteran remembered
With honor and much more

Such glory and such honor
Within each war they fought
Pride we feel within our hearts
Such sadness for those lost

Flag they held still flying
With dignity so blest
Our heroes of the many wars
Have given all their best

Bow your heads in silence
For those who are not here
Remember all those living
Their courage we revere.

~ Francine Pucillo~

All hearts are joined together
Although you're far away
Our thoughts are always with you
We bow our heads and pray

That you will see the Angels
We asked the Lord to send
That they will now protect you
From day break 'til day ends

We know that you feel burdened
I'm sure you feel alone
But love of all is with you
Each heart of ours you own

Our spirits joined together
Our hands are folded tight
Looking up to heaven
May love shine on you bright

While you are not with us
You serve a foreign land
We pray you feel the comfort
Of a gentle Angel's hand

Know that God has sent them
With only you in mind
Wings and gentle breezes
By God this love designed.

~ Francine Pucillo ~

Sammy and Meowmie Aurora:

Happy Memorial Day from both of us!

As reverent prayers have all been said
Hearts are gathered in their stead
Offering our heartfelt praise
For every Soldier's courage raised

No fear of death for freedom's reign
So constant is their heart's refrain
For God and Country and all I love
I give the soul that you speak of

These words repeated through the years
With rivers filled with all our tears
We bow our heads with grateful pause
Our heroes cast a shadow tall

Each day they march with heads held high
And we all bow as they walk by
For we have learned in many ways
No greater love in life displays

Courage born of brave and might
In every battle through each fight
Their sacrifice so great to give
For Freedom's Light to always live.

~ Francine Pucillo