'56 Packard Man

“Packard Truck Dave” – David Lockard

“Packard Truck Dave” writes:
“I plan to have the 1918 Packard Army truck in the Washington, DC National Memorial Day Parade again on Monday, May 27th. What an honor!
This will be the 6th consecutive appearance of the Packard at the Parade.

The photos below are from the 2018 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.:

100 year old Packard truck on Constitution Avenue

National Park Service employee snapping a photo of the Packard truck

Poppy seeds

Memorial Day is not the kick-off of the Summer bar-b-cue season but a time to remember those who have served in our military – particularly those who gave their lives in our service. It is fitting and appropriate that we remember them.

On this blog, we salute Dave Lockard for his Memorial Day efforts with his Packard truck.

Chick-fil-A  puts these tables up in their restaurants each Memorial Day weekend:

The framed sign reads:

* This table, set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone.

* It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that some are missing from our ranks.

* The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.

* The black napkin represents the sorrow of captivity.

* The single red rose in the vase signifies the blood that many have shed to ensure the freedom of the United State of America. The rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, awaiting their return.

* The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.

* A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.

* The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

* The glass is inverted because they cannot toast with us.

* The chair is empty because they are not here.

* The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope that lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.