Memorial Day Weekend 2011

The Lemming did a serious Memorial Day post in another blog:

• "Memorial Day Weekend 2011"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (May 28, 2011)

Here in central Minnesota, it's a beautiful day. As shown in the Lemming's 'eye-on-the street' webcam:

• Small Town America: Minnesota

With that bit of blatant self-promotion out of the way, the Lemming is going to go outside and sit on the stoop.

Related posts:

• " 'Day on the Job' at Arlington"
  (May 31, 2010)
• "Memorial Day: a Rather Official View"
  (May 30, 2010)
• "Another History of Memorial Day"
  (May 30, 2010)
• "Memorial Day Weekend, 2010: a Long Weekend - and Something Else"
  (May 29, 2010)
• "Memorial Day Poppies"
  (May 25, 2008)

'Day on the Job' at Arlington

"For those who do Arlington's solemn work, 'Everyone's a VIP' "
CNN (May 29, 2010)

"The eyes of the nation turn to Arlington National Cemetery each Memorial Day weekend. Here, among the familiar iconic white granite markers, privates lie side-by-side with generals. For a nation at war, these lines grow longer every day.

"The cemetery's intention, of course, is to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. But the business here is to bury the nation's war dead.

"Darrell Stafford's title is interment foreman. In the execution of their duties, his teams perform a choreographed ballet of precision and organization. Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year at Arlington...."

"...A day before each burial, a team of workers digs each grave and installs a concrete grave liner. On the day of each service, the team lays planks around the grave and puts in artificial grass and a lowering device. Chairs are arranged in a row for family members who will attend the burial service.

"When they get an all-clear and the family has said goodbye and paid their final respects, his team moves in again. Team members remove the setup items, lower the casket and cover the grave. These duties are done almost invisibly -- the team blends into the scenery, but its work is woven from grave site to grave site for family after family.

"Most of the time, they perform a thankless task. But sometimes, their work is recognized by people attending the services. 'We have folks coming, from time to time, showing their appreciation and thanking us and just walking up to you and shaking your hand. It's a good feeling.'..."

It's a pretty good look at another set of folks who make things work.

Related posts:

• "Memorial Day: a Rather Official View"
  (May 30, 2010)
• "Another History of Memorial Day"
  (May 30, 2010)
• "Memorial Day Weekend, 2010: a Long Weeked - and Something Else"
  (May 29, 2010)

Memorial Day: a Rather Official View

"Memorial Day"
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

"Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service. In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time."

The website includes links to:

• History of Memorial Day
• National Cemetery Administration
• "The Story of Taps"
  (From www1.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/taps.pdf. (May 25, 2014))
• Arlington National Cemetery
  Official website

I think a quote from the "Memorial Day Order," General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters, is in order:

"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and com­rades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

"We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, 'of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion.' What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic...."

I have somewhat non-standard opinions about the War Between the States, and what was done to the South for the next century. Still, that business about "a free and undivided republic" isn't complete hooey. I think it's a good thing that some folks in America pay attention to the old traditions.

However, I also recognize that it hasn't been the Victorian Age for quite a while. I wrote about that yesterday.

Related post:

• "Memorial Day Weekend, 2010: a Long Weeked - and Something Else"
  (May 29, 2010)

Another History of Memorial Day

"History of Memorial Day"
History.com

"Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer."

Well, there you have it. The page also has links to photos and videos. And, as usual, the contributions of Polish-Americans are completely ignored. Lithuanians too. And not a single video about Norwegian-Americans.

It's a pretty good resource, anyway.

Memorial Day Weekend, 2010: a Long Weekend - and Something Else

"About the Memorial Day Site www.usmemorialday.org"
A Catholic Cappuccino, Please! (May 28, 2010)

"This site was created to help promote the return of the original intent and meaning back to Memorial Day, to be a central point for finding information on the day, and to provide an online community for people to share their feelings, pride, respect and honor for those that gave their all. This site also promotes restoring the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day to the 30th of May.

"Why is this needed? Memorial Day started off as a somber day of remembrance, a day where we in America go to cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our war dead. It is a day where we remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones who have given the ultimate sacrifice...."

Memorial Day seems to be a mostly-American holiday, although I suspect that quite a few countries have similar observances. There's a history of Memorial Day on the www.usmemorialday.org website: "Memorial Day History." I've done the same thing, on my Brendan's Island website: "Memorial Day," along with maybe thousands of other folks.

The blog I quoted, A Catholic Cappuccino, Please!, has a - vivid? - unconventional? - color scheme: and I don't think you'll quickly forget the background artwork. Unlike some 'artistic' blogs and websites, though - it's readable.

Where was I? Memorial Day, right.



I agree that there's more to Memorial Day than kicking back and relaxing - or contributing to gridlock on some freeway. On the other hand, I'm not convinced that changing the date of the observance will make people get back to the 'true meaning' of the holiday.

And, although my opinion is that many Americans don't use the three day weekend for somber observances - I'm not all that bothered by the R&R that's going on.

For one thing, change happens. This isn't 1867, or 1915, or 1951. Americans simply don't act like people living in the Victorian Age, or during the Great War, or in the era of Happy Days. I'm not at all convinced that even the United States of America's Federal government can turn back time and force people to feel like participating in suitably somber observances. Not even by taking away the start-of-summer three-day weekend.

Besides, I think the folks who relax and enjoy the beginning of summer when they 'should be' going to cemeteries or standing at attention are - consciously or not - taking advice from one of this country's earlier citizens. As I wrote last year:

"Carved on the tomb of explorer Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809):

"Immaturus obi: sed to felicior annos
"Vivemeos, Bona Republica! Vive tuos

"(I died young; but thou, O Good Republic, be more fortunate,
Live out my years! Live your own.)"

I can think of few better ways to affirm and celebrate what so many of our citizens died to preserve, than living the life of freedom and comparative prosperity they defended.

Related posts and pages:

• "Memorial Day in Park Rapids, Minnesota"
  (May 28, 2010)
• "Remembering the Gold Star Families: Memorial Day 2009"
  (May 25, 2009)
• "Memorial Day 2009"
  (May 25, 2009)
• "Memorial Day, Remembered"
  Sauk Centre Journal Blog
• "Memorial Day"
  I Love it Here!, Brendan's Island

Memorial Day 2009

It's Memorial Day in America. It's the unofficial start of summer; a time to:

• Clog metropolitan roads with urbanites seeking relaxation in holiday traffic jams
• Worry about rising gasoline prices
• Listen to fishing experts on the radio discuss the relative merits of fly fishing and trolling
• Remember

A few mini-micro-reviews:

"Memorial Day 2009 Parade"
WHIZ (May 23, 2009)

"This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer and today hundreds of people lined the streets at Buckeye Lake for the annual community Memorial Day Parade.

"This was the fourth year for the event, which took place along Route 79...."

Buckeye Lake's Memorial Day parade stands out for me, since it's an annual observance that's just beginning. These things ebb and flow. The small town I live in doesn't have a parade, and the Kandi Klassic Morgan Show at the fairgrounds just isn't the same thing.

"Memorial Day History"
usmemorialday.org

"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War.... While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966...."

"...Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery...."

Behind the traffic jams, fishing lures, and horse shows, there's a solemn event. The War Between the States is far behind us now, the American Legion has been running Memorial Day since World War I, and we're still discovering that freedom isn't free.

I wrote my take on Memorial Day a few years ago, for the Brendan's Island website.

I'll wrap up this post the same way I did then:

Carved on the tomb of explorer Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809):

Immaturus obi: sed to felicior annos
Vivemeos, Bona Republica! Vive tuos

(I died young; but thou, O Good Republic, be more fortunate,
Live out my years! Live your own.)

A Post About America's Memorial Day

"More Than Barbecues"
My Adventures in History (May 25, 2008)

""What's Memorial Day for?" asked my friend. After proceeding to explain why we celebrate the upcoming holiday, I wondered how many people have asked this same question. I know I have. In the past, it has been quickly dismissed as just another holiday, where we get an extra day off of work to have barbecues. So what is Memorial Day exactly?..."

I missed this one, when Memorial Day weekend was coming up. But, it's got some good thoughts - and a couple of links - so, 'better late than never.'

Memorial Day Poppies

Memorial Day in America and poppies go together. As usual with such things, there's a story behind that.

• "The Memorial Day Poppy"
  Botanical.com
  "The inspiration for this column began at the local shopping mall. Yeah, I know it is a pretty bizarre place to get any kind of inspiration let alone gardening inspiration but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. You see sitting out front of one of the mega stores was a WWII veteran and what looked like his grandson. On the shaky card table were a bunch of red silk poppies and a can for donations...."
• "Why do we get Poppies when we give a donation on Veteran's Day?"
  Annie's "Memorial Day Symbols & Things
  "Flanders Field is a United States military cemetery near Waregem, Belgium. Buried in this cemetery are the bodies of 368 members of the armed forces who died in World War I (1914-1918). Canadian poet John McCrae wrote the famous poem, 'In Flanders Fields' .... "
• "Red Poppies: A Memorial Day Tradition to Remember Veterans"
  Associated Content (April 11, 2008)
  "For most Americans, Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer and opportunity for remembrance of those who have served our country during times of war and of peace. Officially, Memorial Day was first observed on May 30,1968 and was originally labeled Decoration Day. In the following years, by an act of Congress, the day of remembrance was moved to the last Monday of each May and renamed Memorial Day. The tradition of the red poppy has become a formality of Memorial Day which is often overlooked."
  

Memorial Day Weekend, 2008: Parades

Memorial Day is coming up, and so are Memorial Day Parades. I did a quick look around and found:

• "National Memorial Day Parade"
  Washington DC
  May 26, 2008
  "The National Memorial Day Parade, presented by the American Veterans Center, is held annually in Washington DC, and is an opportunity for thousands of patriotic Americans to come together and honor those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country."
• "Memorial Day Parade -- Downtown Chicago"
  Chicago
  May 24, 2008
  "With 10,000 participants annually, the procession is billed one of the largest in the country. Festivities begin with a wreath laying ceremony at Daley Plaza (11 a.m.), followed by the parade at noon. The parade proceeds south on State Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street."
• "Biggest Memorial Day Parade in the U.S."
  Queens, New York
  May 26, 2008
  "Memorial Day is more than a three-day weekend. It honors those soldiers, sailors, and others in the armed forces who have fallen while serving our nation.
  "This Memorial Day you can join the annual celebration in Little Neck and Douglaston, Queens, which has grown into the largest Memorial Day Parade in the country since its start in 1927. The whole community turns out, and it's a great way to start the summer."
• "NYC Parades"
  Brought to the Web by Jim's Deli
• "Greater Los Angeles Annual Events"
  Los Angeles Area
  (It's listed between the NoHo Theatre & Arts Festival and the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Arts Festival.)

Memorial Day Weekend, 2008

The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer in America. Traditionally, we've done our first long vacation trips on this weekend. This year may be a little different.

• "Gasoline Near $4 Shortens Trips for U.S. Memorial Day"
  Bloomberg (May 23)
  "May 23 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. travelers are shortening their Memorial Day weekend trips or staying home as rising gasoline prices, costlier air fares and a weaker economy sap their confidence and bank accounts."
• "Memorial Day travelers face headwinds"
  CNN (May 23, 2008)
  "Record gas prices force some would-be holiday weekend drivers to stay off the roads. Travel expected to lessen for first time since 2002."
• "AAA: Memorial Day traveling to drop"
  Sacramento Business Journal - Nashville Business Journal (May 23, 2008)
  "Higher fuel prices and weaker consumer confidence will keep more Americans at home during Memorial Day holiday compared with last year, according to AAA."
• "usmemorialday.org"
  This website "created to help promote the return of the original intent and meaning back to Memorial Day, to be a central point for finding information on the day, and to provide an online community for people to share their feelings, pride, respect and honor for those that gave their all. This site also promotes restoring the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day to the 30th of May."

I live on the edge of lake country in Minnesota, so I'm rather interested in how many people decide to take some time off at the lake this year. Aside from tourism being a part of the local economy, I've got a personal interest: a directory of travel-oriented businesses and services in Minnesota which also maintain websites.

• Minnesota for Web-Wise Travelers