Our Memorial Day.

I remember the first time I began to really understand what the military was all about was when a friend I met back in college mentioned to me how he went to Saudi Arabia. I had just joined the LDS church, was on my own, and was beginning to learn how to truly "unshelter" myself from the world. I didn't quite understand why he went, or what he did while he was there, and when I asked him how Saudi was he said he didn't want to talk about it. I respected his response, and never questioned him about it again. Years passed, and now that I'm older, and understand more about what's going on with the world, war, and our troops my heart just grows deeper. Having lived in North Carolina for two years really helped me to understand even more. Especially when we were living in Fayetteville attending a ward that was 95% military. I grew to really appreciate the acts of sacrifice they would make in order to serve not only within the church, but to our country as well. I saw their willingness to fight, be strong, and to endure no matter how rough it was. There were so many young men & women fighting for our freedom leaving their families behind to make the world a better place. I have learned to appreciate what they do for us, and for the past ten eight years have made sure to remember both the fallen troops of the past, and those who are still fighting for our country today. 

Living in the east has its advantages and we are surrounded by so much "war" history. I love that we live in an area where we can drive 45 minutes to Valley Forge to see Washington's Headquarters, and two hours to Washington D.C. to visit all the memorials. I have become somewhat of a history buff since moving here, and I want my children to know what Memorial Day means to me, and what it's all about. They have learned that's it not just any other day, but a day of remembering.  

On this Memorial Day we decided to go to Valley Forge National Park to visit the sites. I didn't take as many pictures as I did the last time we were here, but let me tell you...I felt an entire different feeling the second time around. I really love this place, and visiting Washington's Headquarters is always so humbling.  

After visiting Valley Forge we did end up driving to the beach. The kids, particular my two younger ones kept talking about going to the beach since...this morning! I guess you can say this was one of the warmest days we've had thus far, and out of all the days for it to be hot it had to be on Memorial Day! Chelsea, and Noah had too much fun. To them it's all about the sand. They absolutely love getting all sandy while building sand castles. 

They mostly preferred digging in the sand more than going in the water. It's probably a good thing because let me tell you...the water was freezing cold!! I took baby steps slowly going in, but the water only made it to my calves. It was so freaking cold! Chelsea is a pretty brave soul, and kept going back and forth to put water in the pails to build sandcastles. You can tell by her reaction how cold the water was...

She eventually got used to it, and just enjoyed the crashing of the waves against her...legs.

^^^ and Lexie just relaxed the entire time. ^^^

^^^ and Noah would get tempted to go into the water which he did end up doing, but after falling while a wave was crashing did not go back in again. (too bad I didn't get that on camera!) ^^^  

Although we had some recreational fun on this day I'm glad we took the time to think of the fallen from the past, and to remember them on this day. 

Every year Memorial day becomes more, and more meaningful to me, and the first thing I want to do on this holiday before any fun is to pay our respects for all who have died. How nice, and peaceful it would be if our troops would return home. But until that day comes I will always, always keep them in our prayers.

And I hope your Memorial Day was lovely too! 

The Village of Valley Forge.

After living here for five years we finally made it out to Valley Forge National Park and toured it via trolley in its entirety! 

The 3500 acres of land was amazing to see! The trolley guide taught us so much history as we drove and stopped at some of the most important spots where memories of the encampment took place. It was interesting, and sad at the same time to hear about how the soldiers lived their lives for that one year during their encampment.

We had a bonafide park ranger tell us the story of the encampment and how it is one of the most renowned aspects of the American Revolution. 

Noah was excited to have his picture taken with a "soldier" holding a musket, and bayonet. Not that he loves guns, but I think the fact that this man was dressed holding a musket got him a little interested. 

The log cabins were unreal. I can't even imagine sleeping where they slept without any kind of ventilation or decent mattress for that matter. I'm sure they had straw as a substitute, but still, that would feel a bit poky to me, and very uncomfortable. I guess back then it didn't matter. Their living conditions were brutal. They slept, and ate when they could and I'll tell you those rations were not enough to feed all those men at this camp. Many were undernourished, and suffered diseases. Women, and children would come later to help launder their clothing, and provide nursing care to these soldiers. 

I'm telling you...I learned a lot on this day of what happened here at Valley Forge!

One interesting thing I learned is that during the winter of this encampment it was not bitter cold at all. As a matter of fact it was a mild winter. Kind of like the ones we've been having here in Jersey for the past few years (watch this year be brutal!) 

Oh...and the paintings we see of George Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge...never happened. I always thought that it did. Apparently it's an artist's perspective of what George Washington represented. After all...he was a religious man. 

Apparently a man named Isaac Potts bears witness that he did see him kneeling in prayer...it's more than likely to be true! 

We had many a history lessons and I'm so glad we toured Valley Forge instead of always "going for a drive" through it. The kids were excited because they finally got their national park passports stamped from here. 

The village of Valley Forge is a peaceful green place, and we really enjoyed ourselves. If you ever get a chance to visit Philly I highly recommend driving the extra 40 minutes to tour 3500 acres of land & take in all of Valley Forge's picturesque beauty! 

It is filled with so much history, and it feels good to know that you were present at a place where George Washington once lived in. 

 I really like that blue hope chest. 

National Memorial Arch

"Naked and starving as they are 

we cannot enough admire 

the incomparable patience and fidelity

of the soldiery."

~George Washington

It leaves you feeling with so much love, and appreciation for our forefathers, and all that they did to ensure our freedom, and for us to live with liberty in striving to be happy in this wonderful country that we live in with our family. 

"To see the man without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lie upon, without shoes...without a house or hut to cover them until those could be built, and submitting without a murmur is a proof of patience and obedience which, in my opinion, can scarcely be paralleled." 

George Washington at Valley Forge, April 21, 1778