Memorial Day 2007

Four freedoms:
The first is freedom of speech and expression, everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of everyone to worship God in his own way, everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want... everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear...anywhere in the world.
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt


All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. ~Winston Churchill



The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree.
~Thomas Campbell


“In memory of those who served, all gave some, some gave all.”~unknown



In Loving Memory of Ron, We miss you!

Ronald R. Coleman, 75, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at Manor Care Nursing Home. Born March 3, 1929, in Beaver, he was the son of the late Robert and Mary Coleman and was a retired Army major. His burial was in Arlington National Cemetery.

I struggle to find the words to express the honor and pride I feel to have had the opportunity to have shared the many years that I had with Ron. They were good years. They are filled with loving memories. You are gone but not forgotten. I am thankful that I was able to express my gratitude for your dedication, honor, duty, and service to our country. I appreciate that you were proud of me for my service as well. We had a bond that I cherish, treasure, and hold close in my heart. I love you man.

There is a long list of “Ronsisms” that remain with us through the years. Some are sayings and some are just those unforgettable moments that happened that are etched in time.

My mom had lovely dinners with guests. One dinner I remember was with Miss Wynn who is allergic to cats. Miss Sally was also present. Ron was the lone male. He accepted the duty to confine the cats to an upstairs bedroom. He arrived downstairs with blood running down both his arms. We all rushed him with my Mom in the lead to render aid. He kept saying “It’s only a little scratch!” He was wounded doing battle with White cat and never batted an eye.

Once a bird was loose in the house and using his quick judgment Ron decided to put away the cat with claws first. One cat away Ron rushed to find the cat without claws. He rescued the bird from the mouth of the clawless cat and set it free.

Ron would drive over 270 miles one way to get what mom?
That French stuff was not good enough...it had to be….

I will be talking with Mom on the phone and Ron will drop in out of the blue and we will laugh until we cry with a “Ronism”,
“Let the good times roll”
“We gotta get organized”
“Everybody inside,outside!”,”Everybody outside,inside!”
“Everybody upstairs, downstairs!”,“Everybody downstairs, upstairs!”
”If you have two, turn one in”," If you have one, requisition another one”,
when I would catch Ron dozing off….”guard duty, heavy guard duty”.
Ron would make his entrance with a loud “Airborne!” and my mumbled quip back would be…”Yeah, so’s bird dirt….” He would chuckle every time…

Thank you again for your service.
Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you for loving my mom.
I miss you.

Ron spoke with pride of one day resting in Arlington.
This video is for you buddy.






Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.~ Wikipedia


"...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime....let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
~General John Logan


These heroes are dead.
They died for liberty - they died for us.
They are at rest.
They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, and under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines.
They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest.
Earth may run red with other wars - they are at peace.
In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.
I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead.
~Robert G. Ingersoll



Remember those who died for our freedom.

Support our troops!