Memorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2020

Great Uncle Gerard Barry was a distinguished British officer, and is the only family member who died in service to his country of whom I am aware, so I celebrate him on this Memorial Day.

Great Uncle Gerard lost a leg during the Great War (WW I). He was awarded the Croix de Guerre with palm in August 1918. Sadly, after becoming commandant of the Cork Military Detention Barracks in December, 1919, in April, 1921 he was shot by a sentry while entering the main gate. Killed by “friendly fire” after surviving the Great War.

The Barrys were distinguished veterans. Gerard’s brothers, great uncle John, and my grandfather, James Barry, also served with great honour and distinction. The next generation, Uncle Pete, Uncle Mike, and my father, Brian all served and survived World War II. All gone now.

Here, this Memorial Day was a wet one. Harry and I walked to the ring to see just how wet it was after 3/4 inch of hard rain last night. It’s so nice to be able to walk with Harry again!

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The tulip poplar is blooming…

A hummingbird…

Harry hard at work, Anne resting with all four dogs…

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Squirrels were great fun today, unperturbed by the rain.

The storms let up this evening, and horses went out to their soggy pasture (Oisin stayed in the shed, which was not picturesque enough to include)…

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Picture worthy indeed, as I turned from the horses, the two Crouchers, Twizzler and Skittle, were perfectly posed…

And finally, the sky, which has been roiling all day, settled for a while as the day came to an end.

Let’s remember that times have been worse than this. We are all lucky to be here, grateful for so many sacrifices made by those who came before us. Stay safe, stay well, remember…