A day for remembering - Day 239 - Beaufort, NC

Saturday, we awoke to a forecast with a 20% chance of showers, which seemed closer to 90% when we left for our morning walk with Kodi.

Dark clouds to the east of Guided Discovery

Undaunted, we proceeded to walk through town (our theory being we could camp on some one's porch if it rained hard.  We doubted that they would shoot us as long as the Furry Kid was with us). 

At 9:45 AM, we came upon the Carteret Court House where we discovered the locals preparing for the annual Memorial Day Service, which was scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.

Tents erected around the Cateret County War Memorial

Flags flying

We decided to stay and watch small town (population 4,305) America celebrate.  It was a great decision and a touching experience. 

The band playing during the musical prelude

They introduced the scouts who raised and lowered the flags

The colorful Knight of Columbus Color Guard

The Beaufort Town Chorus sang a medley of patriotic songs

Angela Baker sang "Proud to be an American" beautifully

Artist: Lee Greenwood
Song: Proud To Be An American

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Congressman Walter Jones (R) gave the Memorial Day Speech

Congressman Walter Jones speech was moving.  He spoke of four veterans, starting with his grandfather who committed suicide (circa 1922) a consequence of being (mustard) gassed during WWI and of his 12 year old father finding the body as an example of the effect that war has on families.  He spoke of two others who made the ultimate sacrifice and of one who was badly wounded (having lost everything from the waist down) during the Iraq war.  He made the point that our technology and medical skills now enable us to save severely wounded service people who would have died in previous wars and the obligation we have to provide for them.

He also spoke of his decision to send troops to Iraq, which today he mightily regrets and of the difficulty of providing adequate benefits for veterans and especially those who have been severely wounded.  He strongly pledged to see that the budget treats our veterans properly.  He also expressed his deep reservations about our involvement in Afghanistan and provided details to explain his decision to support pulling the troops out.  He got a very enthusiastic round of applause from the approximately 300 people in attendance.

One line of the Congressman's speech characterized the meaning of Memorial Day for me.  Referring to those who service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, he said that "they gave their tomorrows for our today."

Today, I was especially proud to be an American.

Note: We also stayed completely dry.

Written by Les.