Life is More than Travel ...
Hello, dear friend …
It's been way too long since we've written. Please forgive me … and let me tell you what's been keeping us busy.
In our 'real' lives, Ed and I manage a cemetery. Last year, we became involved in our town's Remembrance Service for the fifth anniversary of September 11th. We helped place a Field of 3,000 Flags on the cemetery grounds in remembrance of those who died – and used the funds raised through flag sponsorships and donations to build an Emergency Services Memorial. Seven flags now fly twenty feet above the Walkway of Honor – representing fire, police and emergency medical services, with an American Flag in memory of September 11th.
The dedication service was awesome with more than 200 attending. Every day for the three weeks the Field of Flags was in place, folks visited the site to stroll through the flags and take pictures. I get teary-eyed when the National Anthem is played at ball games. To see those flags flying and realize that each one represented a life was – and is – an emotional experience. (photos are on our website www.wcmpark.org/archives)
This year, we are helping to construct a Military Services Memorial – designed to honor those currently serving, as well as veterans. To raise funds for the Memorial, there will be a second annual Field of Flags. But here's the good part …
There will be a unique candle-lighting ceremony that evening in memory of our military servicemen and women killed in the Persian Gulf since 9/11. Imagine a mile of luminary candles (3,000 of them!) burning through the night to honor the greatest sacrifice any man or woman can make in the name of God and country. The candle lighting will close the dedication ceremony for the Military Services Memorial.
The Memorial itself will have a pentagon-shaped foundation centered with the American Flag, a Branch of Service flag at each 'point'; and a POW/MIA flag at the base, just outside the pentagon. Brick walkways will approach each side, like rays of the sun (Son) recognizing God's power and protection over our country. Each of the five sides is ten-feet long, which totals 50 to represent the United States as a nation.
It's a project that is dear to our hearts. Ed is a Navy veteran, as is his brother and father, who served in the European theater during WWII. My dad never finished high school because he joined the Army as soon as he was old enough.
So … back to what's been keeping us busy. In addition to doing the design and construction work, we are also travelling to every possible function (craft fairs, Ribfest, the County Fair) in our county to talk about the project and solicit donations – flag and candle sponsorships, memorial bricks, corporate gifts.
Anyway, that's what's been keeping us very busy. We'll keep you posted on the project … and on our new e-book for TouringWithUs. (We're working on that also!)
Have a great day, and please be sure to take a few minutes to say a prayer for our troops. We'll chat with you again soon … I promise!
It's been way too long since we've written. Please forgive me … and let me tell you what's been keeping us busy.
In our 'real' lives, Ed and I manage a cemetery. Last year, we became involved in our town's Remembrance Service for the fifth anniversary of September 11th. We helped place a Field of 3,000 Flags on the cemetery grounds in remembrance of those who died – and used the funds raised through flag sponsorships and donations to build an Emergency Services Memorial. Seven flags now fly twenty feet above the Walkway of Honor – representing fire, police and emergency medical services, with an American Flag in memory of September 11th.
The dedication service was awesome with more than 200 attending. Every day for the three weeks the Field of Flags was in place, folks visited the site to stroll through the flags and take pictures. I get teary-eyed when the National Anthem is played at ball games. To see those flags flying and realize that each one represented a life was – and is – an emotional experience. (photos are on our website www.wcmpark.org/archives)
This year, we are helping to construct a Military Services Memorial – designed to honor those currently serving, as well as veterans. To raise funds for the Memorial, there will be a second annual Field of Flags. But here's the good part …
There will be a unique candle-lighting ceremony that evening in memory of our military servicemen and women killed in the Persian Gulf since 9/11. Imagine a mile of luminary candles (3,000 of them!) burning through the night to honor the greatest sacrifice any man or woman can make in the name of God and country. The candle lighting will close the dedication ceremony for the Military Services Memorial.
The Memorial itself will have a pentagon-shaped foundation centered with the American Flag, a Branch of Service flag at each 'point'; and a POW/MIA flag at the base, just outside the pentagon. Brick walkways will approach each side, like rays of the sun (Son) recognizing God's power and protection over our country. Each of the five sides is ten-feet long, which totals 50 to represent the United States as a nation.
It's a project that is dear to our hearts. Ed is a Navy veteran, as is his brother and father, who served in the European theater during WWII. My dad never finished high school because he joined the Army as soon as he was old enough.
So … back to what's been keeping us busy. In addition to doing the design and construction work, we are also travelling to every possible function (craft fairs, Ribfest, the County Fair) in our county to talk about the project and solicit donations – flag and candle sponsorships, memorial bricks, corporate gifts.
Anyway, that's what's been keeping us very busy. We'll keep you posted on the project … and on our new e-book for TouringWithUs. (We're working on that also!)
Have a great day, and please be sure to take a few minutes to say a prayer for our troops. We'll chat with you again soon … I promise!
posted by Ed & Ruth at 7:46 AM
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