Random Thoughts of a Working Mom: Lest We Forget

This weekend in our little town of St. Joseph, Michigan, we have a really cool event happening. The Lest We Forget (www.lestweforgetusa.org) organization is doing WWII re-enactments; including taking the beach along Lake Michigan. My son, Jake, and I stopped by our regional airport to check out the campgrounds and we took a few pictures.

I wasn't sure what to expect but honestly, it was like walking back in time in many ways. I'm always trying to have a teaching moment with my kids and this was no exception. I quizzed Jake on the name of the British Flag (the Union Jack) and we talked about the issues during WWII. All the while, Jake was asking if the airport where the re-enactors, their tents, gear, guns, food, and vehicles including trucks, jeeps, planes and helicopters are parked, has Wi Fi access so he can play some games on his iPod touch. I just shook my head and tried again; we saw the Allied Camp; US and Britain well represented there. Across the way were the German and Japanese camps; Jake liked the story we heard about a little boy wandering in to the Japanese camp and having the soldiers there shoo him out for having gone into enemy territory.

This event puts at the top of mind all the sacrifice and honor of our soldiers and veterans. I am amazed at the camps that have been recreated with authentic WWII gear; I can't imagine living in such a small space for months or a year at a time; and yet thousands of soldiers have done this and sacrificed for centuries. These men and women are truly incredible. I have a grandfather (now deceased) who was a WWII Veteran. He served at Iwo Jima; which they are re-enacting tomorrow. Ron has two grandfathers (also now deceased) that were WWII Vets; we believe one was at the battle of Pearl Harbor. My Dad was in the Marine Reserves during Vietnam and my father-in-law was in the Military Police at Leavenworth. With that family history in mind, it makes seeing an event like this even more special.

I feel so blessed at being able to walk through such a great, living reminder of our soldiers. I can't wait to see what we can do at tomorrow's events. Thank you, Lest We Forget, for reminding us.