We honor the soldiers who bravely fight for our protection and freedom.  We remember our ties to the past by going back to the first war for our nation, the one that defended the creation of our country and enabled all that came after.  It’s been a messy history, and, even in light of a messy future, we are all Americans who love our country and want what’s best for it.  Despite constant division throughout our history, there is still some spirit that unites us, and it is made possible through the common people, and, in a heroic and special way, through the men and women who fight to defend it.  The very young Revolutionary War Continental Soldier salutes remembrance on a fife with our nation’s first flag held by our iconic symbol of bravery, the bald eagle.  The flag waves over the graves of the soldiers on a gray, cloudy day as our hearts feel when mourning.  Poppies spring up as signs of life, honor, and remembrance for who we lost, what they died for, and for our present day and future, which is, thankfully, not always gray.
 
Take a drive around and notice town and street names.  Many of them are named in honor of these people, and many are named for Revolutionary War soldiers.   Imagine the soldiers and the common people, their lives, what they did, how they felt, their bravery, resolve, and determination not only to survive, but to build a thriving nation.
 
On the gravestones are Crosses.  At first, I had many religious symbols to symbolize the many faiths of Americans. I removed most of them only due to their burial wishes, which vary by faith.  But their sacrifice is remembered in my heart.