Americans don’t have a “Day of the Dead” or “Remembrance Day” like so many other countries. However, Croatia, where I live now, does. On November 1st, Croatians, my wife included, light candles and leave them in their windows, and take lanterns and flowers to the gravesites of their loved ones.

Go to Wreaths Across America to remember or honor a veteran at one of the US National Cemeteries.

November 1st is marked on my calendar with the other Croatian holidays and it became the day on which I remember my father. I can’t visit him, none of us can, realistically, mom is too old for the trip and it’s just too far for Eric and Sophia. Instead we will have someone place a wreath for him at Arlington and mom will get a card. It’s what I can do on November 1st.

Arlington National Cemetery
Ronald Blaine Schmidt
Colonel, US Army
Birth Date: 07/17/1939
Death Date: 02/28/2017

Section:34
Grave:648-A

I love you dad.