Posted on 05/30/2005 2:35:37 PM PDT by snugs
Today is Memorial Day President Bush commemorated this solemn event by taking part in the ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery along with the Secretary of Denfense Donald Rumsfeld.
For further details of this event and Arlington Cemetery in general visit http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/
Yesterday 29th May 2005, Secretary of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed a Memorial Day Rolling Thunder veterans rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2005. Earlier in the day, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Richard Myers had led thousands of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders into Washington for their 18th annual 'Ride for Freedom' and rally for veterans
The history of Memorial Day
Each year, on the last Monday in May, the USA celebrates Memorial Day. For many, this day carries no special meaning except perhaps an extra day off from work, a beach barbecue, the start of the summer travel season, or for merchants, the opportunity to hold their annual Memorial Day Weekend sale.
In reality, the holiday is observed in honor of the nation's armed service personnel who were killed in wartime (in the UK this is the 11th November – Remembrance Day at which on the 11th hour of the 11th month we have a minutes silence all over the Britain).
The custom of honoring the graves of the war dead began prior to the end of the Civil War, but the national Memorial Day holiday (or "Decoration Day," as it was originally named) was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. With the passage of time, Memorial Day was extended to honor all those who died in service, from the Revolutionary War to the present. It continued to be observed on May 30th until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.
Confederate Memorial Day, once a legal holiday in many southern states, is still observed on the fourth Monday in April in Alabama, and the last Monday in April in Mississippi and Georgia. A National Moment of Remembrance
May of 1997 saw the start of what is becoming an American tradition recognized by the President and Members of Congress -- to put the "memorial" back in Memorial Day. The idea of a National Moment of Remembrance was born a year earlier when children touring Lafayette Park in Washington, DC were asked what Memorial Day meant and they responded, "That's the day the pools open!"
The "Moment" was initiated by No Greater Love, a Washington, DC-based national humanitarian organization. For the first time in U.S. history, on Memorial Day 1997 "Taps" was played at 3 p.m. in many locations and at events throughout America. This effort was repeated again in subsequent years.
The objective of the "Moment" is to raise Americans' awareness of the honorable contributions made by those who died while defending our nation and to encourage all Americans to honor those who died as a result of service to this nation by pausing for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day.
This History of Taps
http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island which today a tribute to Memorial Day
CSpan 1 is replaying Memorial Day service NOW
Thank you again for putting in so much time and effort today. Every picture warms the heart.
VP DICK CHENEY to be on CNN's Larry King Live at 9 PM EST tonight.
Nice pictures of our handsome president, snugs! I believe that whenever he shows that frown, he is feeling something deeply emotional.
TWO MORE BUSH BUCKS:
VIETNAM VETERAN
Robert Hashiva (L), of Honolulu, a Vietnam veteran, holds a portrait of U.S. President George W. Bush while saluting with other veterans during the Memorial Day service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in Honolulu
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050530/ids_photos_ts/r3117464298.jpg
[Snugs: Would you post this photo please . . . yes, I'm technologically illiterate (and purposely so)]
YOUNG ESSAY WINNER PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
Eighth-grader inspired by trip to the 2004 inauguration of President Bush
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/Stories/0,1413,209~22484~2895088,00.html
I'm off to do some gardening . . . will check back later!
Well I talking about America East and west coast
For instance I live in California this be on at 6pm pst my time zone
While NY get at 9pm
So do with your time zone in Good ole UK
Kinda funny I read part of interview
Dick Cheney totally smack chat Chia Pet Kim Jong 11
Hi LUV! General Myers is very cool!
It is playing now, and they did NOT put it on their schedule for this time. They only put in a showing at 3:15am!
Here is a photo I took of a plaque in Notre-dam Cathedral in Paris regarding this
Thanks for the links DrDeb.
snugs, and all
FYI, Gen. Galen Jackson, who was escorting GWB today, was the wonderful general who escorted Nancy Reagan the whole week of President Reagan's funeral. I love that man. He was so considerate of Nancy.
What about General Myers as well that is a great photo
Thank you for your kind words - I enjoyed putting this together though sad it was interesting and challenging
Thanks for your kind words
I didn't hear McCain's remarks, but I'm glad you brought them to my attention. I don't like the guy and his comments will make it even easier for me not to vote for him.
Thats what the caption said LOL
Our adorable VP on "Is Larry King Alive?" tonight! I will definitely watch that, thank you for the tip!
I think you are right that frown is a very emotional reaction.
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