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a58r(at)verizon.net
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 Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject: Warning, Non-Kolb/Non Flying |
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When Memorial Day Was Truly 'Decoration Day'
By ROBERT 0. NOYER
Now comes another federally mandated holiday, dedicated to the
merchants of America.
This holiday, conveniently hooked on to a weekend, allows us extra
time off from our jobs so that we may celebrate The Memorial Day
Sale, as well as get in a little extra time behind the wheel —
something we do all week anyway!
A glance at the calendar sometimes shows two Memorial Days — one
"observed," the other just plain old Memorial Day. Can any of us
remember when there was just one such day, and what was memorialized
then?
For many years, May 30 was set aside to honor the memories of fallen
servicemen in all the wars. Many of the southern states have a
different day, however the observance is the same. Perhaps it was a
Virginia woman, Cassandra Oliver Moncure, a distant relative of mine,
who during the War Between the States, first dedicated this day to
the dead.
In my family, and no doubt in many others, May 30 was called
Decoration Day. On this day we went to the country cemeteries where
our ancestors were buried, and clipped the new grass around the
headstones, taking care to tweak the just-blooming peonies, and
placing fresh-cut flowers from our own gardens in Mason jars on the
family plots.
My grandmothers always knew which graves might not be tended for lack
of living relatives, and so brought flowers for these plots, tending
them as well. As children, we were warned to never walk on a grave plot.
And I remember more than 75 years ago the very small parades in these
tiny country towns. The entire Boy Scout troop of seven, including
what appeared to be the smallest Scout, carrying The Colors with 48
stars. A somewhat off-tune but determined Town Band wheezing out The
Stars And Stripes Forever and My Country Tis Of Thee. Only a couple
of very old Civil War veterans, riding in an open car, emblazoned
with red, white and blue bunting, leading a few more from the Spanish-
American War. And maybe a dozen from World War I ("The War to End All
Wars").
Most of the veterans still had a piece or two of their old uniforms,
and all had a few medals. Some of the World War "doughboys" had their
odd flat-brimmed "tin hats" and tightly wound puttees, but all who
marched did so in spite of age and pain. Each may have thought it
might be their last time to follow the Flag.
At Old Town Cemetery, all the old vets stood at attention, with the
younger men at each side of the Civil War soldiers. The several
widows, all in black, dotted the crowd of a couple of dozen, standing
near a few graves. Three volleys were fired from two old hunting
rifles. The preacher gave a long prayer, a wavering Taps was sounded
by the silver cornet player of the Town Band, and the formal
Decoration Day ceremonies were over.
Later we entertained old friends with real home-cranked ice cream and
chocolate cake while bringing back the memories of past times and the
people in them. Perhaps it was Memorial Day after all.
First published in The Winchester (VA) Star, 5/29/1999 Editorial
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jb92563
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 314
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:58 am Post subject: Re: Warning, Non-Kolb/Non Flying |
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By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower written in 1953 remain true today: "It is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world." On Armed Forces Day, our grateful Nation salutes the brave men and women who protect our country, defend freedom, and help make our world a better place.
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_________________
Ray
Kolb UltraStar (Cuyuna UL-202)
Moni MotorGlider
Schreder HP-11 Glider
Grob 109 Motorglider
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