Fakarava, French Polynesia vacation. Picture taken by my friend Vahinerii.

"Our Oasis in the desert is our family."

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Happy Memorial Day.



A few years ago, I moved to the US to pursue an education.  I lived in Utah in a friendly neighborhood where the American flag was displayed with pride every holiday.  As I saw these flags flying freely I felt unity, love and pride for country.  It was a lovely sight. I remember one home in particular that had a real flag pole (instead of brackets) in their front yard and coming from the islands I thought that was really cool!

When we bought our home we worked on the landscaping and for the final touch we added a flag pole and flag.  We love it!  It has become a landmark for us when we need to give directions on how to get to our home – “Look for the flag”.  I love my life here and just wanted to say it’s been a privilege to live here.  The other day I came upon this quote that deserves a spot on my blog.  President Abraham Lincoln gave his historic Gettysburg Address and eloquently laid out the simple yet profound idea that lies at the heart of this day:
"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
On this Memorial Day and all the days before and after it, we must remember those in our military who bravely served and never made it home…And that’s one of the many reasons why we fly the flag.