Memorial Day - Don't Forget Its Meaning
This morning, Alec's high school band was asked to participate in two Memorial Day ceremonies. One each, at two of the local cemeteries.
The same honorable war veterans performed each ceremony at both cemeteries. What was spoken really rang true to my heart.
The man leading the ceremony gave a brief history of Memorial Day (Historically known as Decoration Day, May 30th, until 1967). It was designated after the Civil War to honor the memory of fallen soldiers. After World War I, our government expanded the meaning so as to honor soldiers from all wars and military actions, not just the Civil War.
The soldier described the picture in his mind from years gone by where he had also officiated. Of the ~60 people present today, he described a time in the early '70's as the crowd being 'ten times greater;' a time when there was a lot more awareness and pride in what our armed forces have done to make and keep this Country the greatest in the world.
Today, Memorial Day is no longer a day in which we remember individuals who have given everything to keep our Country safe and strong. It is more commonly known as Memorial Day 'weekend;' an entire weekend to spend shopping all the huge sales, taking the boat for a spin, camping, picnicking, going to sporting events, watching cars go in circles in Indianapolis, etc.
In 1968, Congress created the 'Uniform Holidays Bill,' which moved three federal holidays to a specific Monday, so it would create convenient 3-day holiday weekends. Unfortunately, I believe this is the reason the majority of our society has failed to recognize the true meaning behind this special day.
It became oh-so-very apparent this morning as 11 of the 21 kids in the marching band were getting ready to load the bus. Just a hair over 1/2 of the kids were present. Where were the other ten? I know of 2 who were at the big "Memorial Day Stockyard" sale/flea market with their parents. I'm also aware of one who was just "too tired" to get out of bed to make the bus when it left the school at the dawn-breaking hour of 0900 hours. (This is sarcasm, folks! Never mind that he gets up every day of the week and is in the school weight room at 0600 hours trying to 'bulk up' so he will be bigger and better come next fall's football season!) I'm sure the others were out camping, shopping, or planning a big picnic.
Last year, I was asked to accompany the band as a chaperon. This year when I asked if help was needed, I was told no, because there 'weren't that many kids going.' It just about broke my heart. So, this morning, our family was up and getting dressed so that our hearts and bodies would be present. I sent a text message to the Band Director asking for permission to ride the bus with the students. She quickly and efficiently got this cleared with the bus driver and we were on our way.
The ceremonies were almost identical, giving what was said into the microphone a chance to drive home much deeper. The 11 kids present played as big as they could, considering they were half of the usual numbers. There was a 21-gun salute, which never fails to make me jump. And then there was the playing of Taps. This piece of music makes my eyes water and all my hair stand on end.
Upon completion and dismissal from the ceremony, my youngest daughter, Jennifer and I approached the aging soldiers, reaching for their hand and thanking them for their service. Not only for the service they provided to our Country, but also for the service they provide every Memorial Day.
"For as long as there remains two of us on earth, there will always be a Memorial Day ceremony performed."
---VFW Chaplain, Post 8872, Port Sanilac, Michigan - 26 May 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Crazy Day!
Today started out with a phone call from a couple of girls who have brought their 4-H goats to our farm for safe keeping. Because it's inconceivable for them to get transportation every day, twice a day, to our house to take turns feeding all the goats, they have agreed to come over periodically, to clean out the goat area. Of course, they wanted to know if Alec would be around to help them. (Wink, wink!) They arrived and did a good job hauling the 'pooh bedding' out into the area where we want to put a garden and orchard in someday soon. Just as they were finishing, I let all the goats out into the yard to do a little latent weed clean up and get a bit of a romp in. They loved it. Both of the girls were worried that they would run off and possibly get hit by a car or get lost. I assured them that the goats knew where they lived and would, more or less, just wander around the yard doing their goaty thing. They voiced concern about getting them all, safely, back into their enclosure. I reassured them that by asking them politely to go in, along with a little sweet grain, will work well to get goats to do just about anything. Although they've heard the story numerous times, they still don't believe that Dave and I used to raise goats and care for them, including milking, twice a day, for several years. Although we'd never profess to be 'know-it-all's,' when it comes to goats, we definitely understand the goat personality and behavior.
Next, we moved on to Lily, our horse. Otherwise known as our BIG dog with the long swooshy tail. We added a new member to our clan, Tiz, the spotless Appaloosa, last summer. She's a great companion to Lily and they are best friends but, when it comes to food, she's a real P-I-G! She has nosed Lily out of many a feeding, both hay and grain, enough so, that Lily has lost a lot of weight. The kids and I have gone out 2 times/day to personally make sure Lily is getting the grain she needs to gain weight. Little did we know, that Lily was experiencing a condition that is common among horses that are lowest in the pecking order. Her first few mouthfuls of grain are huge and not well chewed. She does this because she fears being nosed out by the other horse and not getting any. The problem it creates is the grain forms a dam in her esophagus, not allowing the rest of the grain to enter her stomach. The end result is a lot of chewed, but not digested grain, coming back up and dribbling out her nose and mouth. I called the vet and learned what I needed to do and promptly moved her to the pole barn in a paddock the Dave put together for her, using pallets and a field gate that was not being used. She is snug in there now, with free hay and her own little water bucket, with the built-in heater to prevent it from freezing. Tiz calls to her occasionally and she answers, but she is, once again, eating and drinking with no problem. Tomorrow, she is getting worming medication and another go at the grain. Only this time, the grain will be slightly moist and spread out on a cookie sheet to prevent her from getting a big mouthful again, causing the same problem.
Onward and upward, I always say. Next job was to go get some long over due firewood. We drove out to Deckerville and picked up a trailer-full or firewood, not having correct change, so we will be going back for more. We hand-filled our trailer, 4' x 8' x 2' with Ash wood. Upon arrival home, Dave announced that he had no intention of unloading the wood, because he needed to get some sleep before going to work tonight. The kids and I unloaded and stacked the whole load on the front porch, to make obtaining the wood, easier in inclement weather. Won't Dave be surprised when he leaves for work?
Now, it's the end of the day. I am feeling satisfied that we have accomplished some things that were in need of getting done. Tomorrow, I am off to take Alec to the school at 0700 hours for pre-Baseball conditioning and then to the post office to drop off 50 envelopes with 50 letters to high school, middle school, and elementary school band parents in preparation for the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. (I also created a flyer, 50 of them, to be posted in multiple locations to advertise this dinner.) I think I will also apply for a full-time job, as being a stay-at-home mom is a lot of work and I can't find anyone willing to pay me for doing it to help with paying the bills.
Today started out with a phone call from a couple of girls who have brought their 4-H goats to our farm for safe keeping. Because it's inconceivable for them to get transportation every day, twice a day, to our house to take turns feeding all the goats, they have agreed to come over periodically, to clean out the goat area. Of course, they wanted to know if Alec would be around to help them. (Wink, wink!) They arrived and did a good job hauling the 'pooh bedding' out into the area where we want to put a garden and orchard in someday soon. Just as they were finishing, I let all the goats out into the yard to do a little latent weed clean up and get a bit of a romp in. They loved it. Both of the girls were worried that they would run off and possibly get hit by a car or get lost. I assured them that the goats knew where they lived and would, more or less, just wander around the yard doing their goaty thing. They voiced concern about getting them all, safely, back into their enclosure. I reassured them that by asking them politely to go in, along with a little sweet grain, will work well to get goats to do just about anything. Although they've heard the story numerous times, they still don't believe that Dave and I used to raise goats and care for them, including milking, twice a day, for several years. Although we'd never profess to be 'know-it-all's,' when it comes to goats, we definitely understand the goat personality and behavior.
Next, we moved on to Lily, our horse. Otherwise known as our BIG dog with the long swooshy tail. We added a new member to our clan, Tiz, the spotless Appaloosa, last summer. She's a great companion to Lily and they are best friends but, when it comes to food, she's a real P-I-G! She has nosed Lily out of many a feeding, both hay and grain, enough so, that Lily has lost a lot of weight. The kids and I have gone out 2 times/day to personally make sure Lily is getting the grain she needs to gain weight. Little did we know, that Lily was experiencing a condition that is common among horses that are lowest in the pecking order. Her first few mouthfuls of grain are huge and not well chewed. She does this because she fears being nosed out by the other horse and not getting any. The problem it creates is the grain forms a dam in her esophagus, not allowing the rest of the grain to enter her stomach. The end result is a lot of chewed, but not digested grain, coming back up and dribbling out her nose and mouth. I called the vet and learned what I needed to do and promptly moved her to the pole barn in a paddock the Dave put together for her, using pallets and a field gate that was not being used. She is snug in there now, with free hay and her own little water bucket, with the built-in heater to prevent it from freezing. Tiz calls to her occasionally and she answers, but she is, once again, eating and drinking with no problem. Tomorrow, she is getting worming medication and another go at the grain. Only this time, the grain will be slightly moist and spread out on a cookie sheet to prevent her from getting a big mouthful again, causing the same problem.
Onward and upward, I always say. Next job was to go get some long over due firewood. We drove out to Deckerville and picked up a trailer-full or firewood, not having correct change, so we will be going back for more. We hand-filled our trailer, 4' x 8' x 2' with Ash wood. Upon arrival home, Dave announced that he had no intention of unloading the wood, because he needed to get some sleep before going to work tonight. The kids and I unloaded and stacked the whole load on the front porch, to make obtaining the wood, easier in inclement weather. Won't Dave be surprised when he leaves for work?
Now, it's the end of the day. I am feeling satisfied that we have accomplished some things that were in need of getting done. Tomorrow, I am off to take Alec to the school at 0700 hours for pre-Baseball conditioning and then to the post office to drop off 50 envelopes with 50 letters to high school, middle school, and elementary school band parents in preparation for the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. (I also created a flyer, 50 of them, to be posted in multiple locations to advertise this dinner.) I think I will also apply for a full-time job, as being a stay-at-home mom is a lot of work and I can't find anyone willing to pay me for doing it to help with paying the bills.
Monday, January 07, 2008
I just got home from working the conecessions stand for a Girl's basketball game at CPS high school, while Alec played for the Pep Band. A week ago, we were in the snow storm of the season, with 18 inches of snow deposited in our front yard, with strong winds and drifts that made it difficult to walk to the mailbox. This morning, school was postponed 2 hours, because of the thick fog in our area. Today, the temperature was in the low 60's and it rained most of the day. Everything from last week is a memory or exists only as a puddle in our front yard. We are currently under a "tornado watch" status, to which Katie came out from her room, asking me to check the weather on the inter net. Yup, we are still under a tornado watch. We now have thunder crashing all around the house, as well as very close lightning stikes. Enough to shake the fillings out of your teeth. They say in Michigan, if you don't like the weather, wait twenty minutes. It's true. The lightning strikes and thunder are already fading into the distance and I can only hear the rain against the windows, now. It's time to go to bed now. Flood warnings are in effect until 0700 hours tomorrow.
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