...A Memorial Watch Fire..... and lot's of youngin's...

Several years back...a few of our local Veterans groups began a tradition that goes back many centuries...the tradition of a "Watch Fire".

The "Watch Fire" was originally used to guide soldiers home and back to their encampments after the day's battles were over....today...they are Memorial events...Symbolic of guiding a deceased soldier home...as well as healing for those of us left behind...

Last evening...my wife and myself attended this solemn event which is held over at the Great New York State Fair grounds, near Syracuse, New York

For the first time since it's local inception...the attendance passed 10,000 folks. Sailors, Seabee's, Submariners, Marines, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard Vets, and their families....all coming together in one place to pay a fitting tribute to our fallen hero's of all wars...Foreign and domestic. Most Vet's wore hats and T-shirts identifying their prior service and the units they served in. Many logo's told of which war the vet had been in....from WWII to the present. Many old acquiantences and friends met again...and, as usual....new friends were made. There was one vet that was the focus of many of us...it was an honor to meet him...he was a Veteran of WWI......

What did my heart the most good last eve...was the very large number of young folks in attendance...children, grandchildren...and great grandchildren in all age ranges. I was encouraged and inspired as they witnessed the camaraderie that all Vets feel and experience between and toward one another. I watched their young faces...closely....and I saw their look's of questioning, puzzlement, and maybe some awe...turn to understanding and learning. They saw the old American flags that a great many of us brought....to place on the huge wood pyre for proper disposal of "Old Glory".

These young eye's watched as thousands of Vets, young and old, in good health and in wheelchair's and on crutches..."Fell In" and "dressed right" for muster on the huge open field...they witnessed many thousands of Vets come to Attention and "Hand Salute" our great flag as it passed by our formation...and then as we all...ALL.. sang the Star Spangled Banner....followed by one loud cannon report that signaled the playing of "Taps". They heard the un-natural silence of over 10,000 people....totally and reverently quiet.....as the bugle wailed its lonesome notes..... all this unfolding as a bright red sun, set in the western sky... on a calm, warm, early summer eve.....and they saw that it was OK for grown men to shed some tears. What they witnessed was true Love and Patriotism......

...and the huge Watch Fire was lit........visable for all within a fifteen mile radius to see...and silent reflection prevailed.........

Cookie......