I’m aboard Two Lucky Fish at Port of Edmonds, my home marina, and I’ve met several members of the Minnkota Cruising Club. They held a small Memorial Day service this morning, and I was invited to participate.

What a great idea. While it’s wonderful to be out on our boats for the long weekend, it’s also enriching to remember the reason for the holiday.

One of the club members, Bill Guthrie, is a bagpiper. His performance gave the service a bit of fanfare and a sense of ceremony.

Don Spinar delivered a short but powerful message, during which he read the poem “In Flanders Fields”. If you aren’t familiar with it, and even if you are, take a moment and read it.

After that, Bill played Amazing Grace on the pipes and we made a short procession to the end of the dock, where each of us dropped a poppy in the water.

I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

Thanks, Minnkota Yacht Club, for letting me join in your tradition!