Category: memorial

American Veterans Traveling Tribute

American Veteran’s Traveling Tribute brings war memorials around the country. They have a Vietnam Wall, Iraq and Afghanistan Wall, 9-11 Wall, plus tributes to those who died in other conflicts. When I heard this was going to be in the Hudson Valley I decided I needed to see this.

Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, NY hosted this event. I understand Dutchess County arranged for this exhibit to be at the park. Your town, county, etc. can contact this group to arrange the American Veterans Traveling Tribute to visit.

Afghanistan and Iraq
American Veterans Traveling Tribute

The Iraq and Afghanistan Walls are arranged by year of death. Within the year they are alphabetical.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute- Jason Lehto, Marine SSGt. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tech.

I added this in because I know someone who served with Jason Lehto and from my understanding Jason does not get included on a lot of lists like this. It was non combat yet it was a related to IED or explosive diffusing. I think death by any any enemy weapon should be considered a combat death.

World Trade Center, Planes, and Pentagon

Many locals are on the World Trade Center part of this wall. I was careful not to include people in these pictures and even removed some when they were there.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute
American Veterans Traveling Tribute

The names of who died in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks are arranged alphabetically. These are the ones who died in the towers. Many locals to the Hudson Valley are on the Towers Wall as people commute from here to the city. Same is true with Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute- Michael Finnegan- Worked at Cantor Fitzgerald

Some locals to the Hudson Valley remember Michael Finnegan who grew up here. I’m including his name for those who knew him.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute- Flight 11
American Veterans Traveling Tribute – Flight 175
American Veterans Traveling Tribute – Flight 77
American Veterans Traveling Tribute – Flight 93

The county arranged veteran’s events at the same time this exhibit was occurring and local county veteran’s related services set up tables.

Vietnam Wall
American Veterans Traveling Tribute – Vietnam Wall
American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Wall
American Veterans Traveling Tribute – Vietnam Wall in the background
American Veterans Traveling Tribute
Lebanon
American Veterans Traveling Tribute – Lebanon

Other conflicts are covered with information about casualties, but not names including WW1, WW2, and Korea.

Not everyone can get to DC or other places to see memorials like the Vietnam Wall. Not everyone is comfortable going to New York City to visit the World Trade Center Memorial. This exhibit brings these memorials to them.

For more information or to see where this exhibit is next click on the link below:

https://www.americanveteranstravelingtribute.com/schedule

Hometown Heroes

Memorial Day is to honour those who died in the service of their country while serving in one of the military branches. How some small towns in New York honour those who served in the armed services is by putting up Hometown Hero banners along the main street of the town. The towns usually put these up prior to Memorial Day and may leave them up for a month or so afterwards.

I believe these were in the town of. LaGrangeville. These people are currently serving.
A lot of the ones around Pleasant Valley appeared to have rips in them. Not sure why.

Does your town recognise those who served in this way? How does your town honour those who served?

Cemetery Rainbows

Rainbows have come to symbolise many things. They can symbolise new beginnings. They are used today to symbolise diversity and inclusion. Rainbows can signify the troubles of today will pass. In the bible is was a symbol of the promise of God to never destroy the Earth with a flood again. The following are some cemetery pictures with rainbows in the background.

Double rainbow in this one.

We had a lot of rain storms this week, many brief. Therefore, we were lucky enough to witness some lovely rainbows. I tried to capture some of these at local cemeteries.

I think the meaning of seeing these in a cemetery could be the troubles of today will pass. Have hope.

Miracle Max’s Minions

There are many ways people honour those dear to them that died. Some people plant a tree in their name. Others may donate to an organisation in their name. One family in Ontario honoured their son by planting a field of sunflowers in his honour.

I believe I took this at 8709 Rawlings Road in Lambton Shores, Ontario.

The family has collection boxes near the road with a sign about Max. He fought a battle his whole life against leukemia. They use the money to donate to organisations that helped them when Max was alive so they can help others. What a nice way to remember their son and give back to others.

To learn more, click on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/Miracle-Maxs-Minions-112308686805818

Frank Memorial

Below is a speech I wrote for my father’s funeral. He passed in September. When I wrote it I just wanted to say something positive at the funeral and not have it be a totally sad occasion. I thought all this would sound corny, but a lot of people told me they liked it and asked me for copies of it. I think a funeral speech should be personal and not plagiarised from someone else. I feel you should write your own ideas and not copy another’s. I feel it might happen regardless unfortunately, so I might as well put it out there. I don’t claim to be a writer.