MEMORIAL DAY TABLESCAPE

When I was just a kid, Memorial Day was really just another day off school. Signaling summer was just around the corner!

A day of BBQ's and picnics. Watermelon, chilled and ready to eat. Corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake for dessert.



Now, it means so much more. It's a day to remember those who gave their own life so ours can be better.

In doing my family tree, I found out that I have relatives that fought in every war our Country has been in, all the way back to the Revolutionary War.

Today's Tablescape is in their honor.

Full of red, white and blue. Stars and stripes.

My sister bought me the place mats and napkins for my birthday. I layered it over a white tablecloth so the other items could stand out.

It all started when I found this little statute at a thrift store. It says "Greater love hath no man then this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

So, we will still BBQ, have corn on the cob and strawberry short cake. Only this time, as we sit down to the table, we will offer up prayers to all the brave men and women who gave their all.

I also found these gold star napkin rings at the thrift store. I knew I was going to use them and have waited months to be able to do so.

I started with my red plates that I've used many times. Then put the blue and white striped plate on top of that. I purchased those from the same thrift store as the napkin rings.

On top of that went red salad plates that I found at a different thrift store (I love shopping at thrift stores for tablescapes). Then lastly, went a star shaped bowl in either white or blue.

Each place setting has a little spreader. I thought these would be great to use to put the butter on the corn on the cob. Yum! I can't wait.

This spreader has flags.

This one has stars. They are glittered so there is some sparkle to the table that you can't really see in the photos.

This one has Uncle Sam hats. I forgot to take a picture of the last one but it is of Uncle Sam himself.

The proud Eagles also play a big part in this tablescape. At each place setting is a trinket box with the Eagle on it and a flag. Inside will be some red, white and blue candy. These are the favors for everyone to take home.

There are two styles. One has a square bottom.

The other has an oval.

I think this is the first time I have not used flowers or candles on a tablescape.

But, with the big Eagle sitting on top of the Liberty Bell, I felt none were needed. I wanted to give him center stage.

I hope this Memorial Day, you too, take a minute out to give thanks to the men and women who gave their life and to those who are still at war fighting.

For those of you want to know where everything came from:

White table cloth - Target
Place mats and napkins - gift from my sister but she got them at Kohls
Napkin rings - Thrift store
Large red plate - K-Mart
Blue and white plate - Thrift store
red salad plate - thrift store
red flatware - Target
Star bowls - Target
Eagle favors - 99 cent store
Big Eagle - Thrift store
Memorial statute - Thrift store
Flags - Target
Flag bowl- TJ Maxx
Spreaders - TJ Maxx
3 little red, white and blue bowls - TJ Maxx
Blue glasses - Thrift store

Red, white and blue stars on table - Michael's

Freedom sign - Michael's

I'm linking up to the Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch. Also, with Centerpiece Wednesday over at Style Sisters.

There are always so many pretty tables set up through out blogland so if you have not yet stopped by there, you may want to do so. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

God Bless America!

FIELD OF HONOR 2010

Today I went to Newport Beach where they were having a celebration to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces.

They put up 1776 American Flags which represented the first year we became a free Country.

For those who wanted, you could purchase a flag for $45.00 and not only do you get the flag at the end of the weekend celebration but they would tie a yellow ribbon around it and you could add the name of your loved one who served in the Military to honor them.



We had no idea what to expect as this was the first year they had done this.

The park was up on a hill that over looked the Coast line below. From the streets below you could see hundreds of flags flying in the wind.

The start of the park was all the flags from the different branches of the Military.



As you walked, the pathways were lined with flag after flag. Each one represented someones loved one.

Most flags had the yellow ribbon with a name attached. Someone who stood up and bravely defended our Country at some time in our history.

We purchased a flag in honor of my brother Gregory Kennedy, who died while he was in the Army. He was only 18 when he died.

This is his flag.

My sister, Patty and I were there as they were attaching some names to the ribbons. So they allowed us to put our brother's name on his ribbon.

I have to admit it was very emotional for us. Even though he died many years ago, I felt him there with us. Standing proudly as we honored him.

I know he would be happy to have a flag flying in his honor.

After we left, we thought about it and talked how we wished we would have gotten flags for our other brother, Gene and our Dad. We agreed we would do that next year.

This year, we had to quickly decide what name to put on the flag and since our brother Greg was actually in the service when he died his name was the one we picked.

We didn't even think about Gene because he is still alive. Yet, we found out these were to honor all those in the Military. Both living and dead.

Pictures can not do this experience justice. I stopped and read name after name on the flags and said a prayer for each one.

It broke my heart think about how young most of the people were when they were in the Military and how scared they must have been as they fought in the wars.



I thought of all the men and women who are over seas fighting right now. Also, those who are waiting to be shipped out. Or those who will soon follow in their footsteps and enlist.

I'm so thankful for all these men and women. Without them, where would our Country be?

Some of the ribbons showed the person was KIA or killed in action. How sad.

Some had the pictures of the person attached to the flag, but not many. I think it would be nice if next year, everyone attached a photo. They make it much more personal.

They also had some vehicles that were used in years past. Like this old Military Police vehicle.

This was one of the jeeps from World War II. I thought about the people who rode in this vehicle. What was is it like to be driving in this jeep. Were they heading towards their death? Where they going to rescue someone?

Looking inside the jeep you can see that it couldn't have been any more simple inside. Just start it and go! No radio, no aircondition, no heater. Not much comfort either.

I'm sure they felt every bump and were jerked around like crazy as they rode in here.

At the top of the park there was this monument. It is permanently installed.

The day was overcast and a bit chilly down at the beach. It seemed to add to the somber mood.

We came across this one flag that had a MIA flag attached to it. It wasn't until then that it dawned on me there are still those family members who have no idea what happened to their loved ones.

I felt ashamed that I had forgotten about those men and women.

Were they killed? Were they captured? Are they still alive? They have no idea. How heartbreaking.

This is the name of one of those brave men still MIA.

I remembered in high school wearing a copper bracelet with the name of someone who was MIA. Do you remember those?

I recall being so happy when I found out the man named on my bracelet made it home.

They also had this car, along with the son of the man who drove it and rescued many people.

This is the car and if you click on the photo to blow it up, you will see a man in a uniform. That is the son of the man who was deemed a hero. He was telling stories about his dad and what a brave man he was.

I'm really happy we went today. I've noticed the older I get, the more I'm touched by our Military and those who serve our Country.

I feel like we don't do enough to honor them. So, whenever I see little acts like this one, I want to participate.

If I could, I would shake each one of their hands and thank them in person for all they have done and all that they continue to do. Each one, is a true hero in my eyes.