Near the small community of Weissert, and across the road from our ranch, sits the tiny country plot of land known as “Lone Tree Cemetery.” Established in 1883 by the early settlers in our valley, it tells the story of generations upon generations of our first Nebraskans and those who were dedicated to the establishment of Agriculture in Nebraska, and many a fallen war hero.

This time of May is one of the most beautiful in our part of Nebraska. The blooming of the summer lilacs provide one of my favorite scents and sights. They also serve as a reminder of a sacred holiday for our family, that being Memorial Day.

Lone Tree cemetery celebrates 133 years this year. While many of our little country cemeteries have disappeared from view behind over grown trees and weeds, this little place has been the recipient of care by members of our community over all these years. It is still an active place, with local people choosing it as their final resting place, going alongside others whose stones have faded and been worn away making them nearly impossible to read. Still, each May, the grass is carefully trimmed, and brightly colored arrangements appear at nearly every stone, honoring the memory of those who lie there.

Summer lilacs were always clipped with care by my siblings and me. Since we grew up near the Lone Tree Cemetery, we would gather them up and walk or ride our bikes to the final resting places of our ancestors. Mom would plant colorful baskets of flowers to go along with our homemade arrangements, and dad would help see that the mowing and trimming were done properly and that the stones were clean and in good condition.

Cemeteries dot the countryside of Nebraska. Large or small, many of them are sacred places to our fallen heroes. Volunteers dutifully organize and prepare yearly services to honor these American heroes each Memorial Day. For families like my own, it is a tradition just the same as those observed at any holiday. My Grandfather, and now my father (both veterans) have served as the commander of the military honors always part of these services. Chances are, there is a service going on in your area. As you make your Memorial Day plans, would you kindly consider attending your local services? An hour well spent, will bring a day full of content as you take a moment to remember the sacrifices made.

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick off to summer in Nebraska. For us, it also serves as the gateway to sending all animals to summer pastures, celebrating the completion of planting season, and also a day to catch our breath before transitioning to a new season. We spend the day honoring our fallen, remembering our ancestors, and smiling and laughing with those around us today.

Memorial Day is remarkable in many ways, it provides a way to give thanks to our service men and women, remembering your own lost loved ones, and teaches an invaluable lesson about the sacrifices made so that we may celebrate this Memorial Day in a free country, standing on the shoulders of many who built the communities we live and prosper in…today.

All seriousness aside, it’s a great day to shop for a mattress, play in the water, enjoy a BBQ, make new memories, and celebrate this life.

God bless our fallen service men and women, and those who still serve on this Memorial Day.

You are not forgotten.