For as long as I can remember my family has gone to the cemetery for Memorial Day where my Grandma and Grandpa Udall along with my Uncle King are buried. We all meet around 9:30 and reacquaint ourselves with cousins we don't see that often and then we have a little program about the importance of this great country we live in and the lives that have been lost in our behalf. We talk about the men and women who have served and those who continue to serve for our freedom. It is a pretty neat tradition that is now caring on down to the next generation. My mom was the youngest of 11 children and I am the youngest grandchild of 64 for my Grandma and Grandpa Udall. 5 of my grandparents sons and 6 of their sons-in-laws have served in the armed forces. It used to be just go to the cemetery take part in the program and head home...but now with our own children we make a day out of it. After we are finished at the cemetery we all head to In -n- Out Burger...poor people...you should see their faces as 64 plus people come walking in at once, then to the movies where we try to divide and conquer the different age groups and then to one of our houses for swimming and pizza. The day begins around 9 and finally comes to an end sometime around 7 or 8. The kids think it should never end...they never seem to get tired of each other. I am so blessed to have such a great family and love living so close to them all.
This is most of my immediate family-minus the nine who were unable to make it. It is something we try to attend every year not only out of respect to my grandparents and Uncle but also for my mom.
Uncle King was my mom's 2nd oldest brother who was killed on May 19, 1944 64 years ago during WW11 when he was struck my lightning. My mom was 9 years old at the time of his death and recalls the day the knock came at the door to inform the family of his death. My grandmother Udall had been sick and when she got the news she fainted at the door. My mom also recalls the white flag that hung in their window which represented that the family had loved ones serving in the war. After the death of my Uncle a gold flag was also hung in the window represented the death of a solider. It was a very sad time for my grandma...I can only imagine!!
Behind us is the flag that was draped over my Uncle King's casket when he returned from World War 11. It's kind of hard to see but it only has 48 stars on it- he died before the two others states where added to make it 50 states...pretty cool!
This is a picture of my parents with a few of my aunts and uncles.
On to the next stop... In -n- Out Burger- Yummy Yummy!!
Final destination- Uncle Greg and Aunt Jenet's house for swimming and pizza.
Bridget with her favorite cousin Blair Bowden
This is a picture of my parents with a few of my aunts and uncles.
On to the next stop... In -n- Out Burger- Yummy Yummy!!
Final destination- Uncle Greg and Aunt Jenet's house for swimming and pizza.
7 comments:
I love that tradition. The Farnsworths do the same kind of thing. We went on Sunday evening this year, so we couldn't go grab a burger and have a swim party.....Fun idea! I had actually heard all about this tradition on Sunday, from Emily, in YW. Our lesson was on traditions and heirlooms.
I love the fact you have that flag out for everybody to get a picture of and see. Great blog!
So fun, sounds like a busy day. We have been up at the Grand Canyon for 6 days camping and getting snowed and rained out. It was flippin Cold! They have not had this cold in over 100 years. As to your rain storm it was snowing and cold up there. Hope all is well.
Such a great way to really spend Mem Day. We were trying to think of something more meaningful to do, like go to a parade or cemetery, but we are so far away from anything personal. The Garn fam does go to the cemetery on Sun. evening and BBQ/Swim on Monday. Unfortunately, we've missed it for years, but hopefully not too much longer. What a blessing to have such a great family and for your kids to enjoy it so much. Great pictures, so fun to see the big family picture.
It was a very busy day, but a fun one! I love the tradition and I think it's a great experience for our kids. Even my little ones that don't understand why we're there are learning something. Even if the lesson is simple...this year: What is a cemetary?? Great pictures! I love that Blair and Bridgette are getting to play more often!
Looks like you had a great Memorial Day too! I will see you at Dano and Lindsay's reception. Lindsay is my sister Darcel's daughter. Darcel's other daughter Megan has been dating Wyatt for ALONG time. He is always at our family parties and just seems like part of the family. I hear that wedding bells might be in the works. Megan and Lindsay both work at Cosmos with Lexie. Anyway, there is our family history!!!
Your big fam looks so fun. Eric needs to take me down there.
That's a cool way to spend the day.
Post a Comment