"Place, with a trace of humanity" Photography/Photo of the Day/Pittsburgh

A Day of Remembrance

Memorial Day War Memorial in late afternoon light

Muskingum County World War II/Korean War Memorial Zanesville Ohio

Family members plant flowers, trim grass, pull a few weeds, decorate graves of loved ones.

One time Mary and I scrubbed lichen off the granite with our toothbrushes. I saw a watering can hang from  a spigot, a metal pipe in the ground. Boy Scouts place American flags by white stone veterans’ graves.

I remember when Bill played taps and as the clear notes sounded, the wind kicked up, blew swirls of dust and leaves, the sky got dark. And we all felt  a shivering chill.

Each helmet  bears a soldier’s name.

10 Responses

  1. May they all rest in peace and may we never rest until we make peace last.
    Thanks for this, Ruth. Too many helmets!
    Love, L

    May 31, 2010 at 1:04 am

  2. I dont know why war is inevitable?
    Man seems to create and need war as much as he needs warmth, shelter, food and love.
    Human beings just are not peaceful creatures by nature? Maybe if I live another 50 years I will have a better understanding of this dilemma…Namaste, M

    May 31, 2010 at 6:42 am

  3. Marlene

    I am grateful for all the men and women who died for our county.

    May 31, 2010 at 7:28 am

  4. Laura

    great post for memorial day

    May 31, 2010 at 7:45 am

  5. Sue Reinfeld

    That is a beautiful picture – We were right near Zanesville – I wish I would have known about that memorial

    May 31, 2010 at 8:24 am

  6. Toni

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow
    Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
    Scarce heard amid the guns below.

    We are the Dead. Short days ago
    We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
    In Flanders fields.

    Take up our quarrel with the foe:
    To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
    We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
    In Flanders fields.

    By Major John McCrae

    May 31, 2010 at 11:07 am

  7. Jane Scott

    I have seen Flanders Field and the crosses brought tears to my eyes then as they do now.

    May 31, 2010 at 1:12 pm

  8. A very inspiring and touching tribute

    May 31, 2010 at 1:17 pm

  9. D. B,

    Brings me back to childhood memories of a parade, me marching as a Girl Scout and my dad with the Vets…. and the “chosen 5th grader” getting to recite Flanders Field at the ceremony.

    June 1, 2010 at 11:20 am

  10. Kimberly

    I have never been there, or at least seen the memorial. You have been spending a lot of time in z-ville lately.

    June 2, 2010 at 10:33 am

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