Making coffee has become the great compromise of the decade. It’s the only thing “real” men do that doesn’t seem to threaten their masculinity. ~ Erma Bombeck

Blue Star Chronicles (Beth) A Succession of Honor — “I watched the National Memorial Day Tribute a little bit ago. It was a good program …. and a good cry.”

Wizbang (Lorie Byrd) Remember — “This weekend, in the middle of your cookouts and family trips and other holiday events, don’t forget to stop and remember those we honor on Memorial Day. More importantly, take the time to teach your children that the day is about more than barbeque and the beach.” [Lorie has a great roundup of links to the many Memorial Day posts around the blogosphere. Jim]

La Shawn Barber’s Corner Memorial Day Reflections — “To the families of our war dead — men and women who fought and served in the armed forces to defend this country and to preserve freedom, the most treasured of all ideas — this weekend I reflect with you.”

Additions throughout the day:

TMH’s Bacon Bits (DL) Memorial Day – The Cost of Freedom — “Memorial Day is both a day to honor our dead that gave their lives to insure our way of life - our freedom - and to always remember that there is a cost for freedom – a cost that, it seems, we are less and less willing to incur. Today, more than ever, we must be on guard against those who would trade mere politics for freedom. We do this best by saluting our fallen, who understood and gave their lives for what we enjoy and value – freedom.”

Confederate Yankee The Wall — “Under the statue-soldier’s gaze, and elderly man lagged behind a tour group at the wall. He caressed it and knelt to leave a single rose at the base. He sobbed. He had difficulty standing up. A nearby park attendant helped him up and asked, “One of yours, sir?” The man shook his head and replied, “Not one of them. All of them.” ”

Sigmund, Carl and Alfred The Cosmic Clock, Memorial Day And What Hope Looks Like — “When we see veterans marching in a Memorial Day parade, we are watching the men and women that are a living testimony to those who would defend the principles and ideals of freedom. They fought for more than geography and they fought for more than country.”