I cry when the flag goes by. I try to stop, to hold it in, but the tears escape every time. I still love parades like a little kid, and that is the reason why; a community joined together in reverence to salute the essence of what it is to live in our country.
Sunday I attended the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service in Provo, UT. My family and 15,000 of our closest friends gathered together for 90-minutes of independence-focused singing and dancing. One of my favorite songs is the Armed Forces Medley. I only have one relative that ever served in the military and he never speaks about it. It is touching beyond description to watch as members of each branch of the service stand proudly to receive the recognition they deserve. I love to watch the eldest veterans and their wives and their generations of family. And I especially love to see our current or recently discharged soldiers standing at full salute with all the seriousness upon their faces that that office holds. If I managed to hold in the waterworks during the presenting of the colors, I guarantee you my mascara is running by the time this song ends.
The entertainment on Sunday was enjoyable, but I will forever remember the more serious event of the evening. An audience of grateful Americans watched as the flag of the fallen soldier was ceremonially folded and presented to the mother of fallen Army Chief Warrant Office 3 Matthew G. Wagstaff. She has been dealing with the grief that comes with losing a son for 10 months now, but not a person experiencing that moment with her would have denied the opportunity to take that burden away from her.
I cannot put into words the degree of gratitude and sadness I felt as I watched her stand with composure while tears streamed down her face. Every American who has not experienced the sacrifice of military life personally owes it to themselves to be in a place where they can witness an event similar to this. I will never have another day when I get out of bed and take for granted the acts of courageous selflessness enacted on my behalf each day.
And, so, we move closer and closer to the 2011 celebration of the United States' Independence Day. If you have a soldier in your midst, please reach out in any way you can to give them a hug and thank them for me, and for my children, and my neighbors, and every person walking free around me. If you do not have that special privilege, try this week-try hard-to make put yourself in a place that will make the cost of freedom real to you and your family. You'll never regret that you did!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Campout and a Giveaway!
Great American Backyard Campout Giveaway
I've been writing and mentioning about this great event meant to inspire you and your family to get into the great outdoors. For more details about the campout, check out this post.
And now, as promised, a fun summer giveaway to inspire your outdoor adventure:
The Prize:
1-Nightize Innovation L.E.D Light-Up Ultimate Frisbee Disc
1-Deluxe Camper's Compact Hammock
2-Extension Forks (i.e. extendable weinie/marshmallow roasters)
All the makin's for great S'mores
Details and How To Enter:
This giveaway is being hosted both here at Wandering Still and on the blog A Local Wander. That's great for you-extra entries! There will be one winner from all the entries between both blogs.
Giveaway begins 12:01 AM on 6/24/11 and ends 12:01 PM on 7/1/11.
Mandatory Entry:
(for all entries be sure to leave best email address to contact if you are the winner)
Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite camping spot.
Oodles of Bonus Entries:
~Follow Wandering Still on Google Friend Connect
and leave comment here that you did.
~Follow A Local Wander on Google Friend Connect
and leave comment there that you did.
~Like Wandering Still on Facebook,
come back here and leave comment that you did.
~Like A Local Wander on Facebook,
come back here and leave comment that you did.
~Upload a photo of your favorite camping spot to Wandering Still on Facebook
(No need to comment, I will add 2 entries for each photo added)
Winner will be chosen by random selection process after entries are combined from both blogs and Facebook pages. Notification will occur within 48 hours of giveaway ending and winner will have 48 hours to respond with mailing information or another winner will be assigned.this post
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Reminder: Come Camping With Me!
Camping has always been a fun activity for me, my friends,and my family. Growing up I was a proud member of Campfire Boys and Girls and have innumerable memories of the camping trips that made it possible for me to participate in (most of the trips involved being soaked in the rain and eating food we thought was disgusting, but they still make me laugh and smile).
In high school my parents rented a group campsite at our local lake and allowed each of my sisters and I to invite friends for a weekend of outdoor adventure. It was a first camping experience for several of the kids who came along and we felt like the luckiest family on the planet!
And now that I'm grown? I still love camping! In my early (and poor) married days my husband and I made it a priority to buy quality camping equipment. It served us well while we working and playing in Alaska and has lasted long enough to introduce our two little boys to the joys of sleeping outside. Living in Utah we have the ability to camp in the most amazing places and try to take the opportunity as often as possible.
That brings me to the invitation I teased you with at the beginning...
The National Wildlife Federation, REI, and KOA are hosting the 2011 Great American Backyard Campout on Saturday, June 25th. The Great American Backyard Campout provides an opportunity to support NWF’s work to return nature to childhood for the health benefits and for the fun of it! My personal memories of camping, as well as the joy of watching my little boys outside, inspired me to join the fun and I want you to share it with me.
So what do you do? Join the team at http://online.nwf.org/goto/campwithme. Then start planning your adventure and share the excitement with your friends and family. How fun to have a team spanning the entire country! Participate on the team website or leave a comment here to let me know what you are planning.
Then, the week following the campout, share your experiences on the Wandering Still Facebook page for a chance to win a gift to inspire you to spend more time this summer in the great outdoors (more information on the giveaway posted on FB June 24th).
I look forward to seeing you out there!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
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