Memorial Day

Landon's middle name is Cooper...he is named after my Great-Grandpa Clive Cooper Johnson. My G-Grandpa was an amazing man. Not only was he a great husband and father but he was very, VERY proud to be an American. He was injured while serving our country and he earned a purple heart becuase of it. He was also very involved with the Department of Veteran Affairs throughout his entire life. I always knew that Memorial Day was an important day to him. Grandma and Grandpa Johnson were ALWAYS out visiting graves on Memorial Day. I can't help but think about him on all patriotic holidays (Memorial, 4th of July, 24th of July, Veteran's Day...etc.) I love him and miss him but am so grateful for the example he has set for our entire family and for the appreciation he instilled in us for those who serve and have served.

Memorial Day Sonnet
by Garrison Keillor
We’re here to honor those who went to war
Who did not wish to die, but did die, grievously,
In eighteen sixty-one and in two-thousand four
Though they were peaceable as you or me.
Young and innocent, they knew nothing of horror—
Singers and athletes, and all in all well-bred.
Their sergeants, mercifully, made them into warriors,
And at the end, they were moving straight ahead.
As we look at these headstones, row on row on row,
Let us see them as they were, laughing and joking,
On that bright irreverent morning long ago.
And once more, let our hearts be broken.
God have mercy on them for their heroic gift.
May we live the good lives they would have lived.