I hope everyone is having a great holiday with family and friends. It’s an awesome time of year – the kickoff to summer, with its parties, sunshine, and time with family.
But, it’s also good to take time from the BBQs, family gatherings, vacations, and shopping on Memorial Day and remember what the holiday was originally supposed to be about – remembering the service men and women who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I am fortunate to live very close to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and there are always remembrances held there for these brave people. This place is never far from our thoughts.
I’ve said before, the sheer number of graves is sobering. You will find graves dating back to Civil War times and earlier, right through to burials as recent as today. 
You can see some of the old barracks buildings in the distance in this shot below. The historic buildings are still in use today, serving as a home to the National Guard here.
So much military history is preserved here. Like these canons-turned-memorial.
There are so many buried here whose names we’ll never know…but they aren’t forgotten either. Every Memorial Day, the local Boy Scout troops personally place a flag on each and every grave, known or unknown. It’s a sight to see. 
One of the most beautiful vistas is where the graves overlook the Mississippi River. This particular spot is very quiet and peaceful, one of the furthest points away from the cemetery entrance and the surrounding streets and highways. Here, you only hear birds and the occasional river barge or boat in the distance.
So, take just a few minutes today from simply celebrating the start of summer and spare a moment for the real reason for the day.
All gave some, some gave all.
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