Red, White, & Blue Week, Day 5
This morning, we attended a Memorial Day ceremony at Veteran's Field on post at Fort Rucker. It was beautiful weather, the Color Guard and bugler did a wonderful job, and the Commanding General gave a great speech. The speech addressed Memorial Day origins, starting following the Civil War when citizens would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers, both Confederate and Union. The ceremony concluded with a traditional wreath laying, followed by the playing of TAPS and retiring the Colors.
Following the ceremony, we were invited to attend a reception for Gold Star families, hosted by the Commanding General and the Survivor's Outreach Service. You can find more information about the Gold Star program here https://www.army.mil/goldstar/. We went in honor of my brother, Sergeant David "Alex" Stephens, who was killed when a roadside bomb hit his convoy in Afghanistan on April 12, 2007.
For the occasion, my theme of the week was very fitting. There were numerous other individuals also dressed in red, white, and blue. I selected this navy blue lace dress that I had also worn to my husband's retirement ceremony. It seemed appropriate for the event.
At the ceremony, the Gold Star families were given this pin to wear in honor of their fallen service members and to identify other families who had lost loved ones. It was nice to chat with other local families at the reception.
I wore these red earrings that I received as a birthday gift from a friend. My bracelet was purchased at Cracker Barrel if I recall correctly.
These cute red sandals were a mystery item in a Modcloth sale. I had no idea what I would be getting, but I ended up with this pair, as well as lovely jeweled blue sandals which I'll post in a later blog entry.
Going into this Memorial Day weekend, enjoy time with family and friends. Enjoy picnics, barbecues, boating, and the beach. But please please please don't forget what this holiday is truly about. Remember the sacrifices made by all of our Armed Forces' fallen service members. And to any of you reading that have lost a son or daughter, mother or father, spouse, sibling, or friend, I want to extend my sincerest condolences. Losing a loved one is a difficult time no matter what, but it's an especially somber occasion when giving the ultimate sacrifice in service of our nation.
Following the ceremony, we were invited to attend a reception for Gold Star families, hosted by the Commanding General and the Survivor's Outreach Service. You can find more information about the Gold Star program here https://www.army.mil/goldstar/. We went in honor of my brother, Sergeant David "Alex" Stephens, who was killed when a roadside bomb hit his convoy in Afghanistan on April 12, 2007.
For the occasion, my theme of the week was very fitting. There were numerous other individuals also dressed in red, white, and blue. I selected this navy blue lace dress that I had also worn to my husband's retirement ceremony. It seemed appropriate for the event.
At the ceremony, the Gold Star families were given this pin to wear in honor of their fallen service members and to identify other families who had lost loved ones. It was nice to chat with other local families at the reception.
I wore these red earrings that I received as a birthday gift from a friend. My bracelet was purchased at Cracker Barrel if I recall correctly.
These cute red sandals were a mystery item in a Modcloth sale. I had no idea what I would be getting, but I ended up with this pair, as well as lovely jeweled blue sandals which I'll post in a later blog entry.
Going into this Memorial Day weekend, enjoy time with family and friends. Enjoy picnics, barbecues, boating, and the beach. But please please please don't forget what this holiday is truly about. Remember the sacrifices made by all of our Armed Forces' fallen service members. And to any of you reading that have lost a son or daughter, mother or father, spouse, sibling, or friend, I want to extend my sincerest condolences. Losing a loved one is a difficult time no matter what, but it's an especially somber occasion when giving the ultimate sacrifice in service of our nation.
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