Year of Firsts - Memorial Day

     Memorial Day: The official kick-off of summer. Everyone is gearing up for BBQs, swimming, gatherings... But it's more than just a three-day weekend. Today is one of the somber days in history. I shared a video about this day last year on YouTube. You can check it out here.

    This holiday began on May 5, 1866, in Virginia but it was called Decoration Day. It was a day put aside for family and friends to visit cemeteries and decorate the graves of the soldiers who had fallen during the Civil War. Since then, it has grown considerably. This day is now to recognize the soldiers who have given the Ultimate Sacrifice in ALL the wars. For without them, we would not have the freedom to celebrate with BBQ, swimming, and gatherings. 
    Not only is this day for those who have given the Ultimate Sacrifice, those who have passed on who served in the Military also receive recognition. At the National Cemeteries around the United States flags are placed at the graves of ALL the soldiers buried at the cemetery. 

"At Arlington National Ceremony, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment places American Flags at the gravesites of fallen service members just before Memorial Day. It’s a tradition known as 'Flags In,' and it’s taken place every year since the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment was designated as the official 'ceremonial unit' in 1948." Source: JoinCake.com

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

May 28, 2021

"A Memorial Day weekend tradition canceled by the pandemic last year will return to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Usually, members of the Boy Scouts of America place American Flags on the graves at Jefferson Barracks for Memorial Day. That effort starts Wednesday afternoon and continues through Saturday. Scout leaders said this is one of the longest-running Memorial Day events within the Boy Scouts of America." Source: Fox2Now

    Many celebrations will also take place around the United States. In Eureka, Missouri, the local VFW Post 5468 will hold their Memorial Day Ceremony on Memorial Day at the local Community Center. They will gather to read off the names of all the soldiers who were members of the VFW or citizens of Eureka who have passed away. This year, my dad's name will be read for the first time.

    Ever since I was a child, I looked forward to Memorial Day weekend because that meant pools were going to be opened and we would start taking trips down to the lake regularly to go swimming. But now, this is the hardest time for me. Dad was always very much involved in getting things set up for the Memorial Day Ceremony. One year, Mark even helped dad get all the flags put out in town on the lights. I am sad to say, I never attended the Memorial Day Ceremony in Eureka while dad organized it. But this year, I will definitely be attending, and while I'm able to, every year after that to honor dad. I will also be recording this ceremony and the video will be placed below once it is uploaded.

Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony

Eureka, Missouri

May 31, 2021

    We visited Dad's grave early for the holiday season to avoid the rush and crowds. With Covid still in our lives, we are still trying to be careful. The flags that were already placed around the cemetery were just beautiful. We even saw some special visitors that were coming out to say hello.

    This was the hardest visit yet for me. For the first time since Dad has been gone, I just wanted to hug him so bad. I miss him terribly. I keep waiting for him to call me with a question or just to talk. It's still so surreal. Like he is just out of town temporarily and he will be back soon. I wish that were the case. And the thought of him not coming back is just too much to bear. Even right now as I am typing this out, I can't stop the tears from flowing. 
    But I know where he is. And I know he is at peace. I can't be selfish, although I want to be. I want him back here with us. I want to talk to him more. I want to show him things. But he is in God's hands and I can't imagine a better place to be. 
    Today we will have parents over for a BBQ and spend time together as a family all the while feeling like someone is missing. But we will celebrate the good times. Make new memories. And eat dad's favorite summer food, Mom's Homemade Potato Salad. It will be hard, but we will celebrate for him. And remember him in the process. 

    So as you celebrate today, don't forget that there are families who don't get to celebrate with their loved ones. Families who soldier never came home. Children who will grow up without knowing one of their parents. Parents who will never hug their child again. And siblings who will miss sharing a drink with their brother or sister. Remember the day for what it is. And thank that family for their Soldier's Sacrifice.

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

May 28, 2021

Happy Memorial Day

Selling Buddy Poppies - Article Written by Dad

Selling Buddy Poppies

By: Dennis Fuchs

Photo from VFW.org

I would like to share my experience with selling poppies and the stories that I have heard. These conversations and stories are not intended to hurt, embarrass or discredit anyone. I would like to thank those that shared their feeling and thoughts with me.

It started Saturday morning when the first lady came up to me and thanked me for selling poppies, and said she always bought poppies whenever she saw someone selling them, because her deceased husband was a Veteran and kind of reminded her of him when he sold them.

Another conversation I had was with a lady and a small child, as they entered this store I don’t know if they were mother and daughter or grandmother or granddaughter, as the lady gave me her donation, I gave her a Buddy Poppy, and I gave the little girl a Poppy also, and thanked her for their donation, the lady touched my hand and looked at me and thanked me for making a big difference in the little girl's day I don’t know what had happened that day before they arrived, but just giving her a Poppy must have made a difference, and as they left the store she said it again.

Many people stop and ask about the Poppies, It makes a Veteran feel good that a person takes time to question about your sales, and that they remember their dad or husband selling Poppies.

One lady came by and said thank you and went in the store, and as she was leaving she handed another Veteran a thank you card and gave him a thank you hug for his Military service and for helping our Veterans.

Some shoppers come by and say, “you got me at this or that store” I would prefer they say that they donated already or show the Poppy by “ Wear it Proudly” not that I got you! Or you got me! The Poppy means so much to Veterans for that.

Some families come by and say thank you, would you mind change? Not at all thank you and you extend your donation can for their donation. Some People want to give their donation in your hand, or just touch you. I just smile and say thank you, sometimes a look or touch means so much.

Some Veterans come by and ask where you served your military service and talk about their experiences, I think that helps some get over some of their troubled times if it did then my being there was helpful. I know, in later years it helped me when I returned from Vietnam

As the day went along I heard people say they put their Poppies on their sun visor it helps to remember Veterans, Great idea, I know people that did that for years. On a lighter side of Poppies; One man purchased a new Poppy and said his needed to be changed he thought it had died. Someone said he should have watered it, but Poppies never die they are alive as our memories and thoughts of our loved ones.

Speaking of water, one young lady came up to me and handed me a donation of five dollars for one Poppy, as I stated before some people like to place their donation in your hand, as she did she looked me in the eyes and said her father was Veteran as she turned away I could see her eyes were watering, I thanked her for her donation. To my surprise, she returned just a few seconds later and handed me another five-dollar bill and said her Father was a Vietnam Veteran and that he had died last year and she wanted another Poppy as she was going to put it on his grave. This time there were two sets of eyes watering.

There were other stories and conversations as the two days of Poppies sales wound down we were happy as we had sold all our Poppies when we were leaving a lady wanted a Poppy, I had looked everywhere, no more, but someone noticed one of our Veterans, had a Poppy in his shirt, one last sale and a happy person.

That should have been the last, but I did not notice one last Poppy in the bottom of the box, where did it come from? I then remembered the young lady wanting to put Poppy on her father's grave, Yes, I took that last Poppy and went to the cemetery where my dad was buried and thanked him.

*Article originally published in the Current Newspaper June 2002