This week I was thinking about Ronald Reagans' farewell speech, there was a part I wanted to remember, so I Googled it and this was the sentence I was thinking about.
"And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table. So, tomorrow night in the kitchen, I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an American, let 'em know and nail 'em on it. That would be a very American thing to do."
Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember the men and woman who have died fighting for our Freedom.
Freedom in not free, it comes with a price. The price was paid many years ago and continues to be paid by our military men and woman and the families they left behind. Freedom started on the battlefield.
Three years after the Civil War ended on May 5th, 1868 Memorial Day began. It was first called Decoration Day and was a time to decorate the graves of those who died in war with flowers.
Over the years the celebration has changed and most of us will think of it as a 3 Day holiday, the beginning of summer, and get together with our friends and families. Some communities celebrate with parades, Saline does, Ann Arbor doesn't. 
As we gather together with family and friends, let’s take a few moments to remember those who paid the price for us to be able to blog.
Here are a few more excerpts from Ronald Reagan's farewell address to the Nation:
"An informed patriotism is what we want. And are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world?
Those of us who are over 35 or so years of age grew up in a different America. We were taught, very directly, what it means to be an American.
And we absorbed, almost in the air, a love of country and an appreciation of its institutions. If you didn't get these things from your family, you got them from the neighborhood, from the father down the street who fought in Korea or the family who lost someone at Anzio.
Or you could get a sense of patriotism from school. And if all else failed, you could get a sense of patriotism from the popular culture. The movies celebrated democratic values and implicitly reinforced the idea that America was special. TV was like that, too, through the mid-sixties.
"So, we've got to teach history based not on what's in fashion but what's important--why the Pilgrims came here, who Jimmy Doolittle was, and what those 30 seconds over Tokyo meant.
Another time Reagan said:
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same".
Having a son across the world on the Dwight D. Eisenhower, and not with us at our lake cottage, freedom, liberty and what is means will be at the forefront of our minds and hearts.
Around our picnic table we will talk about Freedom, Liberty and remind our children that Freedom is not free but comes with a cost.
Thomas Jefferson said, "A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.
Happy Memorial Day to all!
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Happy Memorial Day Missy. Your causing me to mist up a bit.
Hi Missy, add yours to the wonderful posts about Memorial Day. I have said on the others that I always get teary eyed on Memorial Day.
I googled the wars/police actions etc we have fought in this country. The list is staggering, so many must have died in all these wars and conflicts. I was going to write a post about it, but you all have done a great job. We have many to stop and think about and honor this weekend.
Thank you for a wonderful post.
Missy....much love on this Memorial Day!! We are proud of your son! Thank you for sharing him with his country.
Hi Missy! SO many of our family decisions have been made at the kitchen table--of course, we'd like to think that we solved America's problems there too! I love this Memorial Day post!
God bless you and God bless AMERICA!
Missy - Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day, with the important discussions around the dinner table, no matter what they might be. Keeping your son in my thoughts and prayers.
Jeff
Missy I hope you and your family have a great Memorial day weekend!
Have a Happy Memorial Day at the cottage, Missy. Thank your son for his service. We all appreciate his gift.
Herb, I always shed a few too, so you are in good company. As I watch the Veterans walk down the street in Saline for all the wars, it just gets me.
Jeff, thanks for that. He is really lonely as he knows we are all out at the lake.
Andrea, go ahead as we read all the posts it causes us to reflect and everyone brings out different points.
Karen, thanks for commenting.
Debe, wouldn't that be great. I miss all those family meetings where the kids would roll their eyes. Thanks and have a great day.
What a good looking son ou have. You must be proud of him. Way to go, Mom.
Missy, I am grateful to live in America .. .to be an American and to have the bounty of this land .. the land that has and was and will continue to be free as long as brave men and women are so willing to give their ALL. To say THANKS barely covers it. Thanks, thanks thanks and never forget where our Freedom comes from... those brave men and women of our MILITARY.
"So, we've got to teach history based not on what's in fashion but what's important-
Missy - Our country is so rich in its history and must be passed on to our children and the generations to follow. If the schools won't teach it, it's up to us to remind them of the true cost of the liberties and freedoms we have today and of those who paid the price.
My love and thanks to your son! I know how proud you are of him!
Hi Missy - great reminder for us all to remember the underlying reason for Memorial Day.
We should all stop down over this weekend and be proud of those who have continued to step forward and defend our right to freedom and liberty.
Sheldon
Hi Missy, We should be proud to be Americans and this weekend should remember those that fought for our country to keep us free. You must be so proud of your son! God bless! And thanks for the great post!
Missy - what a wonderful tribute, thank you for sharing Reagen's words with, I forgot much of what he said. And my thoughts, prayers and thanks go out for your son.
Missy: Thank you for sharing.. Happy Memorial Day to you and your family as well.
The family meal is sacred..talking, communicating, knowing you are part of a family. Hey..picnic time, give Missy a burger. Have a fun cook out or whatever you have planned! My dad was a tail gunner in a B-17 and two brothers veterans.
Thanks - great you took a break from the normal blogging to remember everyone
Missy - This is a nice memorial day post. You should be very proud to have your son on his tour protecting us. After watching the proceedings this week, I'm hoping Cheney has an opportunity to speak on memorial day.
Missy beautiful sentiments and my thoughts and thanks go out to your family as your son serves our country.
"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have."
- Ronald Reagan
Thanks for sharing (both you and Ronald Reagan)!
Missy what a nice tribute to Memorial Day and the reasons for it. I lost a dearly loved uncle when I was a child in Vietnam. Thankfully my husband came safely home from his service in Desert Storm. My heart goes out to you as you worry and my prayers and gratitude go to your brave son. :) Happy Memorial Day Missy.
Missy thanks so much for your comments. I am very blessed to have been around a grandfather who served. It is a great time to honor these people who cared enough to keep us free.
Missy, our family is full of people who have served in the Navy, from my Father-in-law who served in the South Pacific in WWII to our niece who is beginning a year tour in Iraq while my sister-in-law cares for her three children. We are very thankful for the sacrifice to have our many freedoms and standard of living. May you have a blessed Memorial Day with your family.
Hi Missy, Thanks to your son for serving our country. You must be so proud. Enjoy your picnic and weekend.
Missy.... well done on so many issues. I remember those days of talking around the dinner table. We hated it as kids, but you are so spot on with this. And talking about being an American is a great discussion to have.
On another note, yes, recognizing this weekend as more than just a holiday, but those that fought for our freedom that we take with a grain of salt. And don't get me started with this. i had a conversation with my dad the other day, in regards to freedom of speech. And how so many balk at our military, at the cost of it, etc, etc... I say this.. put them in one state and not protect it, and then see how they love their freedom of speech. It might sound cruel, but I am getting tired of this crap and .... lol Sorry, as you can see, this burns me up.
Overall, nice job on the history lessons.. and hope that your boys are doing well. Thanking them for serving our country.
Missy,
I have always like that qoute. The qipper was one of my favorites. With that I wanted to make sure I had a chance to wish you a Happy Memorial Day.
Great post Missy. I spent an incredible amount of time researching my post regarding Memorial Day. I ended up spending hours reading, watching video's and listening to recordings. There is SO MUCH out there, it is incredible. I finally just had to stop because it was almost wearing me down, the emotions etc. We have a lot to be Thankful for and alot of hero's to Thank. But I did learn. Bottom line, have a safe Memorial Day. Don't forget to fly the flag.
Thank you
All the best for the Memorial Day weekend from Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Missy: Indeed, we have so much to be thankful for... Once upon a time when our family was huge, we always had lively conversation around the dinner table... I love the Reagan quote.
Enjoy the weekend, and have a great Memorial Day...
René
Missy - Thanks for a great post! We are all so proud of your son and all the young men who protect our country! Have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday!
Mary
Hey Missy thanks for posting this awesome blog up. I miss those days when being a proud American was in fashion. Sadly for most, it is not. Sadly if you fly the flag or wear a shirt with the flag on it you are seen as an extreme right wing nut. I love America and am proud to be an American in fashion or not. I am not a fair weather friend of America and never will be. GOD bless America and your son fighting for her. Happy Memorial DAY!
Hi Missy, I was thinking of you and your family this morning. Thanks for the beautiful post, and for what your son is doing for us. XXOO
Missy, I think its great we all pause and remember the real meaning of this holiday. Thanks for your son for serving too.
Missy I liked that you quoted Ronald...........like that speeh. And it's good to remember what it's really all about this weekend. Nice pic of you and your son. Our son is just out of the army so I know personally what's it is like to have a kid on the other side of the world.
Enjoy!
Missy, thanks for a great post. I loved the pic of you and your son and loved the Gipper quotes. This weekend makes me miss Washington DC a lot. We would go to Arlington and lay roses at my grandfather's stone. I think those of us who have family members who have served in our military have a different perspective on the world, our freedoms, and on life in general.
Hi Missy,
I will be going to the cemetery to pay my respects. I always take my kids/grand kids with me. And no matter what happens that day, we all seem to grow a little closer.
-Lisa
Amen and well said! Thank your son for his service for me! God bless America and the brave men and women who give us the opportunity to be FREE! Happy Memorial Day!
Missy - You Son is why we have freedom today. I salute him and honor your family with a a warm Thank-you. As you wrote so eloquently this is a day to honor, I pass on a site that I posted from www.abmc.gov . We gave our best, it is our honor to honor them.
Missy, What a beautiful post. I insist on my family eating dinner together at the table. It is a great place to solve the worlds problems.
God bless your son for fighting for our freedom and keeping us all safe. I know you will miss him this weekend. We are all thankful for him!
Missy: What a wonderful speech post! :) Ronald Reagan was a great man and loved this country.
Thanks for sharing your handsome son's pic', who just happened to be standing next to his very proud mom.
Thanks for all the well wishes. I am so happy to hear that you all are celebrating the history of this day and not forgetting the reason for our weekend.
I have been at a wedding most of the day and just got home so will respond more tomorrow.
Just dropping by to say hello and congratulate you on this great featured post that puts the pride and respect back in this time of reverence for those that gave all!.
This is a great quote and I take two things from it, "All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
1.) That we are each responsible for the change we want to see in ourselves and our country.
2.) That we actually do sit together as a family each night so that we can have these conversations.
Misy, I do my best to teach that to our next generation every day, as a history teacher.
Who knew that Reagan could be so profound (sorry, I've never had too much respect for his intellectual abilities, although they must have been greater than our last former president). If I haven't been doing that, I'll certainly start.
Hi Missy, and a very special Memorial Day to you and we pray for your son and many more to return home safely. We appreciate all our fellow Americans do to help keep us safe. It is soooo important to remember the sacrifices made by soooo many so the rest of us can enoy our picnics, etc.
Sue
Folks with family members in service always remember. I remember when my sons served. In fact, we never really forget.
Sometimes all we can say is "Thank you".
Missy, wishing you and your family a "good as it can get" Memorial Day without your son. Our prayers are with him and all the other young men and women serving our country.
Missy...
The only thing that would have made this post better would be if your son was on the "Ronald Reagan!"
Please thank your son for me for serving his country, and thank you for enduring the temporary empty spot at your picnic table!
Your family seems to have a keen grasp of what patriotism really is!
Happy Memorial Day Missy! We have a wonderful place to visit here in Central Virginia. Bedford, VA lost more by percentage than any other town in the US on D Day. They have had some wonderful programs this weekend. I've done posts here if you wish to see. Come see the National D Day Memorial.
Missy - thanks for a very timely and excellent post. I love the Reagan excerpts and there is some very good information in what he said. Happy Memorial Day to you and your family and congrats on having a son on the Eisenhower. Thank him for us!
I hope you enjoy a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, Missy. And remember, after Monday, it's OK to wear white shoes. :)
Missy - I am so proud of you and your tribute to those who fight for our freedom. God speed to your son returning home safe and sound - soon.
That is powerful stuff. Thanks for sharing. Who would have thought...from a 2 bit actor? Greatly missed.......
Hi Missy -- Thank you for such a well-written post. I was on the Carl Vinson, CVN-70, so you photo instantly took me back to my aircraft carrier days.
Beautiful post Missy, written with great feeling. These are the thoughts I have when every election rolls around and all those American citizens who fail to make it to the polls - soldiers have given their lives, or are willing to sacrifice their lives, for that right to vote.
http://www.PoconoLandAndHomes.com
Hi Missy-I so agree with you..and you have been on my mind so much lately! Military life is not easy..nor is being a soldier...there are select few that have the courage...the honor and the love of their country..it doesn't mean the rest of us do not feel love for our country...but they are the chosen one's! Every night I whisper special prayers...for all of us..for all that serve...and the strength for their families.....and a special prayer for you and your handsome son! You are the best Missy! xoxoxoxoxoox
Missy, I love your Memorial Day "picnic" post. Reagan's quote is a classic one and complete with condiments. And the message is simple, suggesting an element of our everyday lives---the dinner table. How grateful I am, too, for the service of your son in the armed forces. Saluting him this day, and all those that put their lives on the line, fighting for our freedom, and remembering those who have fallen, leaving a legacy of selfless bravery and courage. Best to you and your family!
This is a good post. It begs the question will freedom endure or are we seeing the death of freedom now.
Most of the conversations this weekend have been about how the political marketing campaigns have changed the landscape of the what people view as freedom.
What I am hearing:
-The Right made us afraid of Terror, and passed the Patriot Act stripping away many of our privacy laws.
-The Left is manipulating the free markets, and taking away the capitalistic fire that has made us the leader of the free world.
- The Middle are ridiculed as being 'conspiracy theorist" or labled as those who can not make the decision to pick a team.
When the debates take place, I usually just sit back and listen to them, and my thoughts go to the Soldiers & Sailors. I know that they understand what the fight is for, even when the politicians, and some of the people, can easily forget in all of the chatter.
Please thank your son for his service on my behalf, and let him know he is the real hero in our fight for freedom!
- Harrison Painter
Thank your son for his valuable service to our country and Happy Memorial Day. May you talk about what it means to be an 'American' around your picnic table.
Missy--my husband was in the Navy and stationed on a ship, that pic brought back a lot of memories. Thanks for the great post and Happy Memorial Day!
Missy, I missed this....what an adorable picture of you and your son. The surrounding area looks familiar. Is that at Great Lakes? Patriotism is so important to teach our children and our families. Thanks for sharing.
Missy this was lovely. Thank you for sharing it and for sharing your son with the country so that we can enjoy our liberties.