This morning the kids and I attended a Boy Scout/Cub Scout Memorial Day ceremony. It was kind of an early morning for us, since we all had to get up around 5:30 am, which is about an hour early for me and an hour and a half early for the boys.

They were very good about getting ready, though, and we made it to the post cemetery on time. Unfortunately, the time that had been sent out was 30 minutes prior to the start time. Someone pulled a "dad" on us and posted 6:30 am to be sure that everyone would be there by 7:00 am.

The boys did get somewhat bored and pester-y, but Xavier was able to go off with his new den and work on his Citizenship Badge. Orian stayed with me and alternated between "I'm booooored" and "I'm huuuuungry". I talked to him about why we were there and the meaning of Memorial Day. I asked him who we were supposed to remember. He said, "Daddy" and I corrected him, but I was still proud that he made the connection between what his daddy is doing and the purpose of a day like Memorial Day.

I think this kind of thing is sort of hard for kids to understand. My boys were not somber at all. They knew the meaning of the day and the exercise, but they were very light-hearted and thought the activity was fun. I think it was good for them, but I don't know how deeply it sunk in.

A Boy Scout, assisted by three Cub Scouts, raised the flag and then lowered it to half mast. My boys saluted the flag. I was very proud of them

The coordinator of the event gave a short speech on the history of the cemetery along with instructions for flag and lei placement. It was interesting to learn that service members who had committed crimes against civilians were buried in their own separate portion of the cemetery. He also said there were a lot of baby boomer babies buried here. Isabella talked and cooed through the ENTIRE thing. I was embarrassed, but it's not like I could get on to her, and at least she wasn't crying. The coordinator made a comment about how cute she was during his presentation, so I guess he wasn't offended.

We all worked together to place flags in front of the headstones. They were to be a foot away from the markers, but the kids were less than exact. We also had a variety of beautiful flower leis that were dropped around the flags.

The boys ended up working a section with a lot of babies. They didn't understand why there were so many babies in the cemetery. I had to explain to them that a long time ago babies were not as healthy and they died a lot more often than they do now. Orian carefully read each stone before he placed his flags. I enjoyed talking with him about the names and dates on the markers. I think maybe he noticed that these were real people we were honoring more than his older brother did.

We also placed flags in front of a few headstones that marked fetal remains. I had to explain that to a child who didn't belong to me, and that was interesting.

I was impressed by one of the older Boy Scouts. He was a teenager, probably in his Junior or Senior year. He didn't look like much, but I overheard him speaking with an adult, and he spoke with confidence and clarity. He seemed much more mature than he looked. I'll bet his parents are proud.

Xavier may end up in the post newspaper with his den. They were interviewed and photographed while they finished up a little impromptu Citizenship Badge session. When he was asked to name someone who set an example of good citizenship, he named his dad. That made me smile.

It's hard doing all these things with all these daddies around. Cub Scouts is really a father/son thing, and I am happy that I get to be a part of it, but sad for my boys that they are missing this bonding with their dad. I know he would have been very proud to do this service project with them today.

I am thankful, though, for all the men and women who willingly gave their lives to fortify our nation. I think about that sometimes when I am enjoying my children. When I am at a school function and my children are dancing and singing patriotic songs with the beautiful green mountains in the background, I feel very fortunate. I know not all families have such freedom and security and joy. I know that this comfort comes at a great cost, and I am grateful for the ones who believed my family and ALL American families were worth dying for.

I hope that in time my boys will grasp that sense of appreciation as well.





(And of course, I have to share embarrassing moments...as soon as we got out of the car at the cemetery Xavier starts saying, "Zommmmmbiiiies". Later, Orian sees the last name "Fernandez" on the headstone he's placing a flag in front of and loudly shouts, "Was this guy a MEXICAN?!?!")