‎”It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in
defense of our country in wars far away. The imagination
plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and
wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers,
grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they
died, they gave up two lives — the one they were living and
the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up
their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers.
They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave
up everything for their county, for us. All we can do is
remember.”

– Ronald Wilson Reagan – Remarks at Veteran’s Day ceremony,
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia, November
11, 1985

The mother of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Adam Benjamin lays the wreath at the Veteran’s Memorial.

Thank you.

Love,
Mom

**Thanks to my friend Katy for reminding of the Reagan quote.

This is the second Troop Rally since DH passed away… this adds a new dimension to it for me.  I am so grateful to our good friend Mark who is now my official partner in not great rally photography…but is second to none in gratitude and admiration for our military.  DH was so proud to have served in the Navy and to raise his hand when the vets in the crowd are asked to raise theirs…something they did before.  I know he was there in spirit..

How the day started…Lil’ G supporting the Troops.

I’m ashamed…we were late and missed the Welcome Home, but in time to see the parade  to the Square from Gateway.

Rally organizer, John Kikol in the middle of Ontario.

The parade enters the quadrant…

The Celtic Eagle Pipe Band
I just asked Mark if he had ever seen a lady piper when they stopped right in front of us…

…question answered…lady piper…

…lady drummer!

SFC Jason J. Fabrizi

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl we can’t forget him.

Moses Cleveland and Patriots

Another view of the crowd.

The Rally began with the Presentation of the Flag Color Guards from Strongsville VFW Post 3345, Joint Veteran Honor Guard and 3/25 Marines.  Monica Robins from WKYC sang the National Anthem again…and all I can say…again…is WOW,  DH never got video of her singing and now I am so sorry because I can’t find anything on youtube.  Next was the Invocation from Rev. Rich Bartley, Chaplain of the Great Lakes Blue Knights .

John “KIKS” Kikol, Rally Organizer

Lt. Col. Michael P Hubbard, 3rd Battalion 25th Marine Regiment, Brookpark

Frank DeLorenzo, founder of Wags 4 Warriors (OIF and OED veteran)

Pam Hays, Founder/President of The Arms Forces (help for vets with TBI and PTSD) Chairperson of Ohio National Guard TBI Workgroup

Next was Nikki Mendicino, Veteran Advocate from Pittsburgh.  Recipient of  PA Medal of Commendation for her work with the veterans and a student at George Mason University.

Blue Star brother, Josh White.  Brother of Army 1st Lt. Ashley White Stumpf  KIA 10/22/11

Kathie McPheron, Vice President of Ohio Chapter 26 Blue Star Mothers

Gold Star father Kevin Hall.  Father of Marine Cpl. Eric Hall and PTSD  advocate from Louisville, KY

Tom Mitchell of Honor and Remember Flags presented flags to the Boskovitch and Nowacki families.

Reading of the names of Ohio’s Fallen Heroes

21 Gun Salute

And…while the reading of the Heroes names was solemn…I couldn’t resist ending the morning on a happier note by asking Tim Daley, Executive Director of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, to stand for a photo with me for a very special  Soldier from a southern state 
The Damn Yankees say THANK YOU!

Love and Semper gratis,
Mom

Photos…coming soon…technical issues making me crazy!

 

Love,
Mom

John Kikol, rally organizer on local tv….if you are in Cleveland on Sunday….be there!

“It really sinks in, you know, When I see it in stone.”

“That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower. We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.”

Love you all,

Mom

 

This photo is from last year’s rally, the first I went to without DH.  There’s more at the end of this post.

Fellow Rally for Troops Supporters:

On Sunday April 29th the 10th Annual Rally for Troops will be held at 11:00 AM in downtown Cleveland Ohio in Public Square, directly in front of Tower City. This year we are also including a Welcome Home celebration at 10:00 AM in Gateway Plaza (between Indians Stadium and the Cav’s Arena) to say “Thank You” to all returning military and their families from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Please plan on arriving downtown by 9:30 AM to join in both ceremonies. At 10:30 AM we will march in a parade from Gateway Plaza to Public Square for the commencement of the Rally at 11 AM.

As in past years we will conclude with the reading of Ohio’s Fallen Heroes and many of the gold star families will be readers of the names again this year. Parking is free at all Tower City Parking Lots and the surface parking lot at West 3rd and Superior. As in past years both ceremonies are open to the public and regardless of the weather both event will take on time, so please mark your calendars and plan on attending. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors to join in these events that recognizing all our veterans and especially the families of Ohio’s Gold Star families. Flyer attached, please copy and place in VFW halls, military establishments, bars, restaurants, food stores, drug stores, barber shops and any place that will support both events.

Thanks for your support and if you have any questions please contact me at 440-263-8121 or kiksharley@aol.com. or www.clevelandrallyforthetroops.com

After the Rally there will be a post rally gathering at Harley Davidson Sales Company of Cleveland.

http://www.harleydavidsoncleveland.com/

John “KIKS” Kikol , Organizer

 

 

Just because the news peoples have been reporting that we are “winding down”…that doesn’t mean that we don’t still have people in harm’s way.  We do…and probably always will.  So…NEVER FORGET…those who stand to protect us.  And if you are of a mind to do a little more…go to the Soldiers’ Angels website and see if there isn’t a team that you might join.  It truly is the best thing I’ve ever done.

Love,
Mom

DH will not be with us tonight except in spirit…but he was the one who turned it all on in years past.  So The Boy and I will be celebrating the light of the human mind.

 

Love,
Mom

*The books of Richard Paul Evans.

I have been lacking in posting…but not in gratitude…

Love,
Mom

…and they are young…and ready to fight.  Perhaps there is hope for the future.