Heroes

For as long as I can remember, each Memorial Day we have gone to put flowers on the graves of family members who have gone on before us, we have flown an American Flag in front of our house, and we have remembered those who have served in the military. I have two heroes that are part of what is referred to as the "Greatest Generation." My Grandfathers: One that I have never met, and one that I am priveleged to be able to still go visit in his home, and get great advice, and big hugs from. Both of my grandfathers served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

My Grandpa Grace (pictured on the left) is one of my biggest heroes. Not only because he served our country valiantly, but because he has served the Lord so valiantly as well. His testimony and love helped me to gain my own testimony of the gospel. I always wanted him to be proud of me, and thinking about how he would feel if I made certain choices always seemed to keep me out of trouble. I always felt like everyone knew my Grandpa, and I was proud to be a Grace! He is a great man, who even through health problems and pain, seems to have a big smile on his face. I don't think I have ever heard him complain. Next week we will celebrate another of his birthdays, and I'm so grateful to still have him here with us to teach and love my own children. I want to celebrate him on this memorial day as one of my greatest heroes, and I'm glad I'm not having to put flowers on a grave for him yet.

My other grandpa, Grandpa "Richard" (pictured on the right) as we sometimes call him, passed away when my mom was only 11 years old after battling pancreatic cancer. Although I have never met him, he is also a great hero of mine. Hearing stories from my Grandma and Mom always painted a picture in my mind of such a wonderful, kind, heroic man. He also served the country and the Lord valiantly. I have loved reading my grandma's accounts of him. She always talked about how handsome and wonderful he was, and my mom made him sound like he must have been the best dad in the world. I have always said that he is one of the first people I want to meet when I leave this life. I always loved going to put flowers on his grave on Memorial Day, and imagining how awesome he was. Now that my grandma has been reunited with him, I miss her all the time, but I am so happy that she is with Grandpa again. I would have loved to have seen that reunion.

There are so many more heroes, some that I know, like cousins and friends who have served in the military, and many, many more that I don't know. I am so grateful for all the men and women of the armed forces who put their lives on the line daily to protect our country and keep us free. So many have sacrificed everything, and I couldn't be more thankful for their service. Yesterday when we went to visit the cemetaries, we saw a young man in his army uniform. As he passed, our boys said "Hi Army guy!" He was sweet and said "hi" with a smile. He walked over to the grave of a fellow soldier who had died in Irag. He cried and saluted his fallen friend. When he came back past us, my sweet Bryson said "Thank you for fighting in the Army." I wish we could tell them all "Thank you," because they are all heroes!