On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Good Morning All,
On The Road and In Your Backyard is a weekday feature spotlighting reader submissions. From the exotic to the familiar, please share your part of the world, whether you’re traveling or just in your locality. Share some photos and a narrative, let us see through your pictures and words. We’re so lucky each and every day to see and appreciate the world around us!
Submissions from commenters are welcome at tools.balloon-juice.com
On a personal note, a year ago I buried my mom. I thank all of you for the kind words and love, it really helped me get through a very bad time. Since I’ve gotten past the anniversary of her death, I’ve felt a lot of grief release into the aether. I’ve welcomed the grief and pain for a year and now I’m in a different stage and state of mind, looking forward more than backward, more so every day.
Do hug your loved ones extra close when you see them, our time here with them is so brief. The one good out of my mother’s death is that my half-brother and I are talking and building a relationship. She was not his mother, but tried and failed to avert his darker path and I grew up an only child, without him around except briefly when I was young. I’m proud that he seems to have turned his life around and no longer is cruel, manipulative, dishonest, and shady.
On that note, enjoy today’s pictures, everybody. We’ve got a stellar Friday post from Le Comte; can you say Africa mega post? I know you can!
Today, pictures from valued commenter Litlebritdifrnt.
The National Memorial Arboretum near Litchfield in the UK is a wonderful place. I had the pleasure (and honour) of visiting in June this year to celebrate the anniversary of the Royal Marines with the local Royal Marine Association. There were lots of former and current Marines there as well as the Royal Marine Band leading the parade to the memorial.
Taken on 2018-06-10 00:00:00
National Memorial Arboretum Litchfield
Laying of the wreath at the Royal Marines memorial after a brief service and some speeches.
Taken on 2018-06-10 00:00:00
National Memorial Arboretum Litchfield
Leaving the memorial the Royal Marine Band again lead the way back to the main centre.
Taken on 2018-06-10 00:00:00
National Memorial Arboretum Litchfield
There were several memorials that I wanted to see, the WRNS one (obviously), the Land Army one (beautiful) and the Royal Navy Memorial. It was behind the tents that had been set up for the formal reception so I had to walk around the tents and as soon as I saw the sailor I have to admit I lost it. The memorial is beautiful, panels of glass which represent sunrise (the yellow) and sunset (the red) in between are blue panels which represent the seven seas and the five oceans. The sailor with his cap in his hand and head bowed. Apparently at certain times of the day the shadows of the sun cast an outline of a warship on the concrete. Around the edge is an inscription of a poem dedicated to seafarers. It really is stunning and I stood in awe as I looked at it.
Taken on 2018-06-10 00:00:00
National Memorial Arboretum Litchfield
The retired marines all lined up for the parade. For distinction the marines with the green berets have been through and passed the commando course, the marines with the black berets passed basic training but then went into admin positions and did not go through the commando course.
Taken on 2018-06-10 00:00:00
National Memorial Arboretum Litchfield
Current Marines discussing the details of the parade to the memorial.
Thank you so much Litlebritdifrnt, do send us more when you can.
Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.
One again, to submit pictures: Use the Form or Send an Email
Steve in the ATL
Nice!
p.a.
Thank you. That is a beautiful memorial.
WereBear
I am glad grief is taking its course. THe only way out is through.
David Evans
That is a wonderful memorial. Thank you for showing it to us.
The poem is Tennyson’s Crossing the Bar.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45321/crossing-the-bar
eclare
Wow that memorial with the glass panels is stunning. So creative.
J R in WV
Thanks you Alain, for this place for us to share our memories of places we have been.
SO Glad you’re doing better, also too! Time works in mysterious ways, do it not?
stinger
Thank you, Litlebrit. I’m glad you able to be there for the event. I honor them in spirit!
Alain, best wishes for continued recovery and peace. I’m a few months farther along that path myself. I’m glad you’ve been able to identify something good that came out of your loss.
Litlebritdifrnt
@eclare: @stinger: That it what I loved about it. It is not the normal lump of rock or a statue. It is simply beautiful and if you ever get the chance to visit you should. The National Arboretum is so vast it would take days to see it all, and it is something I may do in the future spending a week in the area. There is also a large forest of trees dedicated to individual people. I just think that it is a wonderful way to memorialize people by planting trees. Thanks everyone for the comments.