Signs, Signs & A Good Fence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier . Arlington

If you ever get the chance to see this, do it. For more information on the Tomb Guards visit Society of the Honor Guard

Linking with Good Fences with TexWis

Veterans Parking @ the Botetourt Sports Complex. These parking spots are new here. Nice idea. For more info on Veterans Parking Click Here Linking with Signs, Signs

A Man & His Dog

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@ The Botetourt Sports Complex, Troutville

Although the man didn't know he was being spied on, the dog did ;)

Random 5 Friday - Memorial Day

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Taken from Botetourt Sports Complex

On my way home recently I noticed this super awesome sky event and had to pull into the sports complex to get a photo! I'm going to take the weekend off from bloggy land to do some family schtuff! Hope all you in the USofA have a super Memorial Day weekend and those from other lands have a wonderful weekend!

And now I leave you with my random-ness:

1) Memorial Day is a US federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

2) I really, REALLY dislike when people confuse Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. I called out a local newscaster on Facebook last year who posted a status something like "I would like to thank all the veterans who have served our country" on Memorial Day. I explained that this was Memorial Day and for our fallen and there is an actual holiday for ALL veterans called Veteran's Day. She replied, quite snottily that she prefers to thank everyone. I don't think she knew. I still hold that against her. Her initials are JJ from WDBJ7...just sayin....I'm married to a vet and the daughter of a vet...I never confuse the 2 holidays and I think it is disrespectful to do so.

3) Wow, reading number 2, I am quite judgmental...I am...I know it. Sorry...

4) The practice of decorating soldiers' graves with flowers is an ancient custom. Soldiers' graves were decorated in the U.S. before and during the American Civil War. A claim was made in 1906 that the first Civil War soldier's grave ever decorated was in Warrenton, Virginia, on June 3, 1861, implying the first Memorial Day occurred there. Though not for Union soldiers, there is authentic documentation that women in Savannah, Georgia, decorated Confederate soldiers' graves in 1862. In 1863, the cemetery dedication at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a ceremony of commemoration at the graves of dead soldiers. Local historians in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, claim that ladies there decorated soldiers' graves on July 4, 1864. As a result, Boalsburg promotes itself as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

5) "As America celebrates Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in our nation's wars."
John M. McHugh

Be safe and I'll see ya on Tuesday!

ABC Wednesday - N is for New Traffic Light?

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Catawba and Etzler. Troutville.

This is down the street from my house. It's been going on for MONTHS. I have to drive through this daily. It's a hassle. I heard they are putting in a traffic light and a bridge. There is no need for a traffic light there even though this area gets quite a bit of traffic because of the Botetourt Sports Complex. But the traffic is all going in the same direction. There are softball tournaments throughout the season. It brings busloads from out of town/state to play here. My boys will get to play one or two games at the sports complex. Ask parents of baseball players if they like the sports complex and you will get angry answers because the tax payers paid for this yet our own kids rarely get to play here (the sports complex was built before we moved here). Now all this road construction. We all think it's quite unnecessary. Down to the right was once an old farmhouse. Not too long after we moved in they tore it down. But they left this great old tree on the corner. Then they started this mess and out went the tree. I always knew I should have gotten a picture.

Linking with ABC Wednesday

Edited with a new title, questioning the traffic light now since Anita says we aren't getting one! I like Anita's answer much better!