Today is Veterans Day in the US. My husband and I have walked by this marker hundreds of times over the years, but this morning is the first time I remember stopping to read the inscription. It sits on the edge of Jedidiah Smith State Park and is, by this time, a moss-covered fixture of the forest. It reads as follows:
THIS UNIT OF 500 ACRES IN THE
NATIONAL TRIBUTE GROVE
IS PRESERVED THROUGH THE NATIONAL SOCIETY
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
TO HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES
OF THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR II
AND TO KEEP INVIOLATE THESE PRIMEVAL SEQUOIAS
AS AN AMERICAN HERITAGE 1949
Fitting that we would pick today to stop and read the inscription. My father-in-law served in the Navy during World War II, and my own father served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Here is an early picture of my dad in uniform and a much later picture of him in Alaska — one of his favorite places on earth — the year before he passed away. My thanks today to my Dads, and to all servicemen and servicewomen, for serving your country honorably.
November 11, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Sweet tribute, Ging. I loved your Dad…thanks for sharing the pictures. And the plaque…
November 11, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Thank you, Joni! He is missed.
November 11, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Thanks for the little bit of history that I didn’t know even though I’ve lived here over 40 years,,
November 11, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Sure, Ellen. Something I didn’t know either until today!
November 12, 2013 at 6:51 am
I love that Ginger,brings tears to my eyes! All these great people putting their lives in harm’s way and seems like they are getting less and less recognition,God speed to all of them everywhere.