crazy but i honestly can't remember ever attending a memorial day service in my life. parades...maybe. neighborhood cookouts...yes! my grandfather was a veteran and time time in the u.s. army greatly impacted the rest of his life (and ultimately my own). now after 26 years i can proudly say that i have attended my first service. it won't be my last.
seeing over 200 americans & new zealanders come together at the auckland war memorial museum during such a powerful commemoration was incredible. the u.s. vice consul read excerpts of letters to home from veterans through time. families placed flowers for their loved ones long time lost. consulate general randy berry read the very speech that president obama will be delivering tomorrow at arlington cemetery.
makes me think why i had to leave my country before it occurred to me to attend a memorial day service...
but then again, how many of my friends & relatives back home have ever stopped to remember our past, what we've lost...what we've gained? what does patriotism even mean?
ironically i've met some of the most "patriotic" americans outside of the usa. these are people who have the desire to take in the rest of the world while sharing their u.s. backgrounds. it's gutsy. it's hard. people back home think you're turning your back on your country. quite the contrary. they extend olive branches every day.
today i shared my first memorial day with some of these people. i think my grandfather would have been proud.
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