Writers Tricks of the Trade ISSUE 1, VOLUME 9 | Page 14

weekend. We decided we would make that
Memorial Day like the ones we remem-
bered when we were children, the holiday
when veterans weren't so old, they
marched in parades and honored all of
those who served. The Memorial Days we
remembered had stores that closed on that
special holiday. We decided we wanted an
old-fashioned Memorial Day. We would
honor and remember our veterans.
To celebrate that Memorial Day, I de-
cided to do a number of things that would
be different. I organized members of one of
the police organizations to which I belong.
We placed flags at the graves of our veter-
ans and their families at Long Island Na-
tional Cemetery. We did it on Saturday, May
29. We walked amongst the gravestones.
Each one had a name. They all cast shad-
ows. The stones cast the shadows now, as
the people they represent did, when they
walked amongst us.
As we walked amongst the gravestones,
we read names, we read dates, and some-
times we had our hearts broken. We saw
the names of veterans laid to rest after they
had fought in World War I, the Great War;
the war that was supposed to end all wars.
We saw stones for veterans of World
War II, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War,
and even the Spanish American War. We
saw the names of spouses of veterans.
Sometimes they were alone. Sometimes
husbands and wives were joined together
for eternity. Our hearts were broken as we
read "Child of -" or simply "infant". We saw
aging veterans remembering their friends.
They bowed their heads in a moment of si-
lent prayer and reflection, and then they
placed an American Flag at a special grave-
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stone. There were Cub Scouts and Brownies
running amongst the stones, placing flags at
each one —the next generation of Ameri-
cans was showing their thanks.
It was nice to be able to reflect on all
that was done for this country by the he-
roes with whom we spent time. There was
a special feeling amongst those who deco-
rated the graves. It brought out such strong
emotions. They would be back again the
following year, walking amongst the shad-
ows, placing a flag at each stone.
On Memorial Day, my wife and I decided
to visit Long Island National Cemetery, be-
cause our family and friends are there.
Along the way, we stopped and purchased
fresh flowers. It was time for us to pay our
respects to some special individuals.
The first stop was my wife's parents
grave. They are together. My wife's father
fought in World War II. He served in North
Africa and Europe. I never had the oppor-
tunity to meet him—he was gone before my
wife and I met. I did enjoy knowing my
mother-in-law and I do miss her.
We always visit their grave on holidays
and birthdays. However, that day we
stopped to say thank you for what my
wife's father did when it meant so much.
We also had to thank her mother, for all she
sacrificed while he was overseas for years.
If not for them and the others like them, we
would not be as blessed as we are today.
The next stop was the grave of the par-
ents of a retired police officer from Califor-
nia. His father died when he was a small
child. His father was serving in North Africa
at the time, and died in combat. Eventually
he was brought home and interred on Long
Island. The retired police officer never
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W RITERS ’ T RICKS OF THE T RADE