Memorial Day 2007

The kids are in the pool, and the bbq will be fired up soon. Another Memorial Day and the start of the summer right? Not for me, nope, this year seemd different somehow. And I think I know how.

Having covered two different town's ceremonies and then having covered other ceremonies earlier in the weekend, I am tired. Not so much physically tired, but mentally.

This Memorial Day here in Woburn is different. I have covered these services for the past 19 years, but this year it is different. You see, we (the collective City of Woburn) had a native son killed in Iraq just a few short months ago. And when George Poole read the role of honour, and got to SFC Keith Callahan's name, it got me. Indeed it did. I put the camera down for a minute and just looked around. Looking at all the faces of the free and the innocent and the young and the old. I just looked around. I looked at my foster Grandfather - Woody Ford, who, now in his late 70's, came to Woburn Center to see and be part of a ceremony that means so much to him. It was so great to see him.

That's Woody right there offering a hand salute as the flag was going by.

But as great as it was to see him, it is hard not tho think about the family of Sgt Callahan, who lost a dad, a father, a son, and a friend, who was doing what he knew best - defending the freedom of the United States of America - yup - of you and me, and him and her and us an d them. All of us. Thank you Sgt Callahan, for giving your life, so that I may still enjoy mine.

I truly think my friend Bud said it most appropriately on his blog:

Seriously folks, you should take a brief moment away from your weekly trip to
Home Despot or Wally World, and reflect on what the day should be about -
remembering our fallen Soldiers.
And that is Soldiers with a capital "S".
I won't grandstand anymore than to say I honor our Veterans, and I hope
you do too.

I must agree with him, in every way possible.

So here are a few other photos from Woburn and Burlington's ceremonies. I hope you enjoy them, and I would, as always, enjoy hearing your thoughts and comments.

One of many of the flag bearers on the Woburn Common this morning.

This man was a POW in Korea for nearly two years.

The Burlington American Legion Rifle Squad fires a volley after Taps.

Woburn Police officer John Lally - ever the proud grandfather - showing off his new (3 weeks) grandson.