our heroes...

the veteran's memorial is in the middle of the square...

and all around it are the names of our towns heroes from various wars...

some who came home in a box...

but all are honored here in the quiet of the center...

and the VFW places flags all around the square...

and today was a special Memorial Day service...

to honor one of our boys...

who was KIA in 2009...

he was my son's, Doug's, age...

a granite bench was placed on the square across from the church that he attended with his family...

a soldier, a son, a husband, a father of 4, a friend...

http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=254277

this is what our local tv stationed aired tonight on the news...

we got up this morning and went to the grocery store...

we went to park on the square to watch the services...

and couldn't find a place to park...

it was full!

that has never happened before...

maybe 20-25 people show up...

and I wasn't sure we could navigate this area with my wheel chair...

so DH brought me home and went back up with Craig and parked behind the furniture store and walked...

so this afternoon...

after it was all over and everyone had left...

in the solitude...

DH and I went back up...

and we went through the park in the center of the square and then around the perimeter...

and paid our own homage to those no longer with us...

who gave all they had for their country...

their neighbors...

their friends...

the square is a peaceful place in the middle of our town...

and our buildings are old and are full of history...

and way too many of them sit empty now... 

and while we were there...

we stopped and got the mail...

and I waited outside while DH went in...

waving at those who passed by...

because that's what we do in a small town...

and there are flowers in barrels...

and flags flying...

and then we passed back through the center one more time...

we then drove through the cemetery and past all the decorated graves...

and the old part where no one comes to anymore...

and at home again...

I deheaded some of the potted plants...

they took a beating in the storms lately...

and we went out to the center of our world...

and the roses were in full bloom...

in our memorial garden for our parents...

and the smell was so great...

and we remembered our parents, grandparents, friends...

who are no longer with us...

and my peonies are trying so hard to open...

the only time the sun was out today was for the memorial service on the square...

:)

the rest of the day was cloudy and overcast...

our mower guys came at 3pm...

as soon as they were finished...

it poured...

it is supposed to be in the 80s for the next 7 days...

some days close to 90...

and no more rain...

Doug is staying here for the week and DH is on vacation...

there is going to be some serious yard work done...

and a shed cleaned out...

and some rearranging of the junk that we have in the yard...

it's time to declutter!

hope your weekend is a peaceful one...

a fun one...

and one that's filled with all the great things that America is...

One Nation, Under God...

May God bless us all...