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
Good evening Pippin great to see you are here hope you are keeping well my little hobbit.
WHAT a beautiful tribute to our Fallen soldiers......and I really appreciate ALL YOUR WORK, snugs.....
Did you see on Drudge the info on the new book
on Clinton by a Wash. Post guy. What a hoot.
LK asked him what was his greatest accomplishment. He said marrying Lynne.
I do sometimes think that probably in their private life he's lucky to get a word in edgewise! I have a feeling she doesn't have any problem whatsoever expressing her opinions.
Night all . . . vacations over!
A wonderful loyal family man and that is another reason the left hate him.
Did you see on Drudge the info on the new book
on Clinton by a Wash. Post guy. What a hoot.
I didn't see that, don't check Drudge often. It might be interesting, depends on whether he focuses on Clinton himself, or the history surrounding his presidency.
If it's the former, I know all I want to know about Bill Clinton, thank you very much.
Be strong America good country!!!!Be strong America good President!!!Thank you all good night
As for travelling since 9/11, I did go by bus to Knoxville, Tennessee to visit my cousin in October of that year.
And I've traveled by car to other places (as a passenger).
This will be my first trip outside the country since9/11 by plane, and with the extra sec, checks as well as going through customs, yea, this should be interesting.
doing just fine! :o)
I have flown a bit, and although it does take longer because of the security checks, it is also reassuring that they are being diligent! They have also become more efficient thoughout these 3 1/2 years in getting people processed! Have a wonderful time visiting your relatives.
(((((hugs))))) to you Sara, and good night. Thanks for being a friend to America and to all of us!
Adding my 2 cents...you've done a fabulous job posting this dose, Mate! Can we just make you an honorary American?
Thanks!
I hear Kerry's wife has gone back to Heinz again.
Was a Kerry for the campaign. LOL!
Beautiful, Sara. Honorary American-ship to you too!
Please freepmail me when you get back about what they are doing for security. I wondered about the proceedures. Do you have to have a passport?
I was supposed to go to a family reunion in Avolea Saskatchewan this June but couldn't get away.
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