With Memorial Day coming up I thought I'd take you along for a tour of Bay Pines National Cemetery in Florida, a beautiful, serene last resting place for our soldiers and war heroes.
I visited my husband there today...
Peaceful.
There is something about these majestic old trees that has a calming effect on one's soul.
The tomb of the unknown soldier.
The outdoor chapel where the memorial services were held.
I remember, everything was beautiful and surreal like it was happening to someone else.
The bugle played, soldiers in full military regalia fired their rounds and the flag was presented to the widow.
My favorite inscription - on the bench below. 
I am pleased that they have not forgotten about our POWs (Prisoner of War) and our soldiers that went MIA (missing in action).
DEDICATED TO THE PRISONERS OF WAR
AND THE MISSING IN ACTION
WHOSE SURPREME SACRIFICE
HAS HELPED
KEEP OUR NATION EVER FREE.
This monument with it's 3-D figure of a POW wrapped in barbed wire is a chilling reminder.
Note the POW-MIA emblem on the bottom of the monument.
Soothing to the spirit and balm for the wounded soul.
The old banyan tree.
The pleasant chime of the Carillon (Bell Tower) gives solace.
..... and here I sit on the bench and I remember.
I don't see his grave.
I see his grinning face and that glint in his eye and I know that he has at last found
what he lost in Vietnam
Peace.
Soldier graves at Bay Pines National Cemetery.
On Memorial Day this will be a sea of flags.
Every grave will be decorated with a flag and flowers.
Dedicated to the memory of
J.L.H.
Thinking of you with love today and always
Above: White Jasmin in my garden - Below: Entrance to Bay Pines National Cemetery
This is a re-post:
Originally written and photographed by Rose H.
on 5-22-2008
copyright 2009 Rose H.
Remember our soldiers on their day and have a wonderful
Memorial Day Weekend!
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Comments: 30
Great essay, Beautiful photos. Thanks for posting this to Spring09,
This was a beautiful tribute. This place is gorgeous. I love the photos and the trees are amazing - almost as though they are forming the tunnel for the light to fill for the soldier's last beautiful walk home. LOVELY photo essay. I live in a military town so we give thanks and are mindful of those lost EVERY day in this town - not just on memorial day. From the bottom of my heart my thanks go to your husband (please accept on his behalf) for the service he provided our country!
Kimber - Thank you - It is good to know there are many of us who give thanks and remember. The serenity that permeates this place is soothing to your spirit. He more than deserved to take his plac among his brothers in arms.
Dear Rose - this is just beautiful and such a nice tribute to your dear husband. thank you for each and every photo. Of course, each one has its own story as well and all in all, this post was a true memorial. If you're not already a member of Grave Matters, please join and post it there. Salud
Mariana - Yes - we all have our stories:) Thank you, I will join and post at Grave Matter.
Beautiful tribute Rose, this is a wonderful final resting place and memorial for our fallen soldiers. Thanks for the tour and reminder of what Memorial Day is actually about.
Nana - thank you.
I had tears in my eyes reading this. A wonderful tribute to our soldiers that sacrificed so much for us all.
Priscilla - I admit, I had tears in my eyes when I re-posted this.
This is is a beautiful tribute Rose. I can imagine it must have been difficult to write.
j - yes, it was.
This is a beautiful and loving tribute. Bay Pines is a beautiful cemetery and the oak trees with the Spanish moss almost seem to weep yet provide a peaceful comfort at the same time.
Thank you for posting your photo essay at Statues and Headstones.
An excellent essay, dear Rose... every city, every town and even almost every village in my country has monuments like that.
Blessings and best wishes - S.
That first photo is simply STUNNING, Rose!!! Absolutely PERFECTION!
those trees sure are interesting
This cemetary is a fitting tribute. I plan to be buried in the Andrew Johnson National Cemetary about 1/2 hour from here. Do the boy scouts put the flags on like they do here?
Amanda - I am not certain who puts the flags on the graves. I went there yesterday with my son and I almost wish I hadn't - sure the flags were beautiful, and they also had flags and a wreath around the tomb of the unknown soldier, but there were lots of people and the atmosphere was so emotionally charged - I cried almost the entire time.
This is beautiful, but so sad. A wonderful work... thank you for sharing it.
What a magnificent bunyan tree.
What a wonderful photo essay, Rose!
Thank you for the tour! :-)
Beautiful, Rose. I am sure, that although the cemetery is peaceful and serene, it must be a difficult visit for you. Thank you for sharing this with us. I have visited this cemetery numerous times, as my husband is a vet and sometimes goes to the VA for appointments. I walk around while he has his appointments. It is a lovely place.
Normally I gain a measure of peace when I visit, but yesterday with all the peple and flags, I cried, it was just overwhelming. There is a lovely park and a boat ramp at the other end of Bay Pines. I've only been there once with a friend who had a boat, but I've always wanted to return to have a better look at the park.
This post is spotlighted in the Monday edition of Today On Gather.
Congratulations!
Connie - THANK YOU for the feature.
Great photo essay Rose, reminds us of what Memorial Day is all about. SOrry about the loss of your dear husband!
This is quite touching. A beautiful tribute to your late husband.
What a beautiful photo essay Rose, I'm so glad you reposted it, I didn't see it the first time. I am so very sorry for your loss, I didn't know.
Your sentiments are beautiful, your love shines through. It is a beautiful, calming place. Sweet justice for those who served our country and gave their loves.