Found 2 blog entries tagged as Iraq.

How many of you actually know the meaning of Memorial Day?  It is a federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.  Many people visit cemeteries and memorials.  Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national and local cemeteries.

When I was a child, Memorial Day meant attending the parade on Forest Ave. and having a barbeque…

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When I was a child, Memorial Day meant attending the parade on Forest Avenue and having a barbeque in the back yard afterwards. As I got older, Memorial Day meant walking/running the Memorial Day race, the parade and hitting the sales advertised at every store imaginable. My mom would remember her cousin, Eugene Wasielewski, who died in World War II at the age of 23.  My dad, uncles and aunt served proudly in World War II.   

In 2005, Memorial Day became personally meaningful to me.  On August 4, my godson/nephew, Private Nils George Thompson, was killed in action by a sniper in Mosul, Iraq, one day after his 19th birthday. This young man grew up on Staten Island, and in 8th grade, moved with his family to a 100 acre farm/Bed & Breakfast in Confluence,…

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