Memorial Day USA 2008

On Friday night we went to see Indiana Jones, good, but I don't think we enjoyed it quite as much as the other Indiana's.

On Saturday afternoon we visited Cornerstone Church in Madison. This is a mega church where our little congregation was planted from. On this Memorial Day weekend and again on the Fourth of July they hold very patriotic services. A huge, gigantic Stars and Stripes hung over the 300 voice choir. Marines repel from the ceiling. Each Service is recognized for their sacrifices for freedom. A marine who just two days earlier returned from Iraq led them all in the Pledge of Allegiance. To top it off Col. Oliver North gave the main "sermon". He gave stories from his work with Fox News (yeah Fox News) in Iraq and Afghanistan. He told of one young man(sorry I forget his rank) that led his squad in Bible study every day in Iraq. He first had them hurry double time to get their daily chores completed and they gathered and this young man taught the Bible study and led them all in prayer.

After Col. North was home for a few short days, he received a call from this young man's father asking him if he would speak at this son's funeral, he had been killed in Iraq, just a day or two after Col. North had returned home. Col. North was visibly moved just retelling of this young Hero's life, courage and faith.

It was a very beautiful service. Patriotic and respectful, not gushy nor glamorizing of war. Col. North himself said he would never to do that. WAR IS NOT PEACE.

On Monday we drove down along the Natchez Trace. This is a well maintained parkway that runs 444 miles south of Nashville to Natchez Mississippi. It was first a trail used by American Natives then used by early settlers for trade and commerce before they began to use the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers. Daniel Boone often walked along this trail. At multiple places you can park the car and walk along this original trail. We got out and did this for a short while, until I wondered if there were bears around there, after that my hiking day was done. Off to lunch.

We stopped at The Loveless Cafe. It is right near the beginning of the Natchez Trace in south Nashville. It is famous with locals and tourists. We have seen Carol Fay, The Biscuit Lady, from the Loveless on Martha Stewart's show. Well, she was there, at the front desk and came into our dining area and after speaking to her she stopped and visited with us.

After lunch there was a gulley washer of a rain storm. Larry got soaked running for car. But we had a most memorial weekend.

Love to all,
Grandma