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
I can appreciate that LOL
I only saw her on Cspan but could not find any photos I will check again after Larry King Live and if I find any will post them.
Thank you so much for posting such wonderful photos and uplifting commentary!!
As I indicated last evening, I think it's poetic justice that those who had the moral clarity and intestinal fortitude to LIBERATE Iraq, e.g., President Bush, John Howard and Tony Blair (with the help of your brave PM), have been re-elected while those who opposed liberation, e.g., Chirac and Schroeder, are facing impending defeat!! SOMETIMES LIFE IS FAIR!!!
Thank you
Thank you for today's Dose, snugs. The history of Memorial Day, the quote of the day, and the pictures are all quite special and you have given new meaning to the words "allies" and "friends".
Your efforts are deeply appreciated.
I'm watching LKL also. The VP and Lynn just have so much character.. Larry just asked a stupid question about Mary.. Boooo Hiss..
That's a lovely montage in post #5, snugs. Well done! I, for one, will never forget the fine members of the UK military who have fought and died along side our own soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines for many generations, right up to and including Iraq.
Thank you
Chirac and Schroeder, are facing impending defeat!! SOMETIMES LIFE IS FAIR!!!
SCHADENFREUDE!!!!
Did Larry King just say that President Bush 41 and Barbara will be on his show tomorrow night?!
Thank you for your kind words
"SCHADENFREUDE!!!!"
I love that word . . . it says it all!!
Good evening glad you could make this evening
I believe so but I turned the TV down at the end of the VP's interview so did not hearly clearly.
Thanks for taking over for me in posting the DOSE.
Thanks for the ping!
I resorted to coming on line after 9:00PM edt, noboy should be wanting to call me (except someone trying to sell me something) I can't alway do this (But I'll try!)
Of course this means this is the only thread I will coming on for a while.
want to be online when others are online.
Do you observe Memorial Day in England?
Problem is, budgets are allocated by Congress, and the facilities may be part of the latest round of proposed base closings. Once again, that's really the responsibility of Congress, but cowards that they are, they handed off responsibility for base closings to a commission years ago.
At this point, the proposals are just that -- proposals. The list of bases targeted to close has been changed in the past. It's a highly political thing. No congressman or senator wants the base in their district to close.
Isn't Dick Cheney just the most wonderful person? Watching and listening to him, I understood all over again why so many people admire and respect and like him. And yet he's so very human. I get the feeling that in life he's a very humble, approachable interesting person. What a man.
Good evening Gretchen!
Hi, OZ!
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