05/22/2026
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
NOTE: We put artificial flowers out for Memorial Day out as soon as they are donated. They go very fast, but it’s worth checking if you need some.
As we head into this weekend for many it will have a special meaning as one special day a year has been set aside to remember the fallen. Happy Memorial Day. Share your story, or how this day affects you in the comments below.
I’ll start(Trish, Assistant Manager/Store Associate at Shepherd’s Closet & Closet, Too):
My handsome, smart, dedicated, smart, etc. nephew stood with few in his graduating class of high school declaring their plans to become a Soldier and make their main job/goal to protect us in the USA. A standing ovation for these few young folks, which I’m sure my nephew just loved so much as they stood there allowing us to honor them just for signing up. Many of you knew him, or knew of him because my sister and I had also graduated from GCHS several years earlier. He was an Army man at heart. All his life you knew he loved and supported the Army. He joined the Army right after high school. A few years later his parents, my sister Vonda (Coulter) and Kevin Rodgers would have visitors in full uniform come to their home late at night. Receiving her call just after was heartbreaking. We lived in Colorado, so I couldn’t just drive over to their house to hug them.
Although basic training surely has to be a little tough, Josh wanted more. He continued on to more advanced training and became an ARMY Ranger. That night the troops went in to help the prisoners of an ISIS group. Mission Was Accomplished. With some kinks in the plan in a dangerous area, pitch dark with no moon, and an unplanned tree where they had to climb down their chopper Josh and one other group leader were shot. He’s now our forever angel.
Now our family celebrates all fallen soldiers every Memorial Day. We go to Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington as a family where a small area was planned for soldiers. We sit through their Memorial Day service. We remember all of them, especially the ones with their names on flags throughout the cemetery. Josh became the first soldier in the are dedicated to soldiers. It’s in back of the cemetery in a very peaceful area.
Now we would love to hear your story, memory, or dedication.
Some pics of us through the years.