by Ailene Croup for PiCK News
Cemeteries across the United States lay in quiet repose until the last week in May.
Brilliant colors draw the attention of those who rush by on their way to work or to their cabins for a long holiday weekend.
We remember, Memorial Day.
On dewy mornings before the holiday, every brilliant color imaginable will dot the manicured lawns of hidden cemeteries and those cemeteries that boldly salute travelers at the edge of town.

The unimposing miniature American Flags symbolize the reason for the holiday - to honor the military men and women who have died in the service of our country, add order and reverence to the jumble of colors.
Remembering those who have been forgotten or who have no one left to remember them, clearing off untended graves along with a private prayer or a splash of color from an artificial bouquet is the mission of the Cemetery Angels’ and their way of honoring the dead.
For many decades, four or five old friends begin the trek of more than 100 miles from cemetery to cemetery, visiting as many as they can in a day. A car full or sometimes two of old and news friends, with a trunk load of artificial flowers, bug spray and bottled water transport the Angel team.
Donna Wheelock comes all the way from Fairbanks, Alaska. This year Cheryl Meagher, from Minneapolis, joined the group. Jeannie Priest came from Duluth, Lynnette Schaefer, from Hinckley, and Ailene Croup, from Cloverdale.
Relatives’ graves get the first dash of color. Then, the search begins for unremarkable, unremembered graves. Old soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are usually easy to spot by the bronze star that marks each serviceman.
Aging knees bend to view the names and weathered hands clear the debris from the stones.
As the Angels travel, they share memories and sometimes the story of a forgotten soul from years passed or of a favorite teacher. This sends the group on a search to pay their respects and honor the memory of that person. Other times, they happen across the grave of someone from the past and the Angels share memories of that person.
This year, three of the Angels remembered a favorite piano teacher - Hattie Skinner. They talked about her cats and the conversations Hattie would have with the felines as the students diligently went through their scales.
The septuagenarians talked about their jobs. Cheryl is a chiropractor. Her insight into what keeps us upright will hopefully inspire us all to stay healthy for another year so we can continue to be someone’s Angel. What we eat has everything to do with how we feel, she said, as we all indulged ourselves with a fantastic meal at Tobies.
From Finlayson to Hinckley, Danbury to Grantsburg the Angels press on to place the final bouquet of flowers as the long rectangular shadows stripe the ground and melt into dusk.
The Cemetery Angels ask that each person who visits a cemetery this year, and every year, to bring one additional bouquet. Find an untended grave and be an Angel. There is a purpose and a value to every life.
God Bless America and our unending thanks to the military who have sacrificed and served and continue to serve and protect us all.