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Holidays:  Memorial Day...do you hang your flag?  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
 Posted - May 23 2008 : 07:15:01 AM
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It used to be that Memorial Day was such an honored holiday and I don't think folks do very much anymore, at least around here. The parades are sparsely attended, and veterans services at the cemeteries draw very few. My father was in WWII, so I grew up thinking on Memorial Day as a fairly somber event...remembering the great losses in all of our wars, and also, putting "sprays" as Gran called them, on family gravestones, recycling the same little plastic red roses from the year before. She didn't have much money, but she tried to keep them nice--you simply had to put flowers on the graves during "remberance" day.
I will go home this evening and hang out my American Flag, and my red, white and blue buntings. I also put them out for 4th of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day. The flag remains up until the harsh winter. On Monday morning, we will attend a veterans service at the largest cemetery (and oldest) in the city, Spring Grove, where Civil War soldiers lie side by side with Spanish American, WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and I'm sure, some Iraq War veterans, too.
Is Memorial Day important in your family? Do you proudly display the red white and blue?
What are your traditions for this holiday, if any?
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 07:35:32 AM
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I have mine out all year around but I hold Veteran's and all who serve in a special place in my heart.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 08:08:10 AM
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Proudly. And the cemetary nearby always has flags waving on the gravesites of fallen soldiers and veterans. It is the most breathtaking sight to behold. We go every Memorial Day, Independece Day and Veteran's Day to honor those men and women.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
Wherever you go, there you are.
www.madrekarin.blogspot.com
www.madrekarin.etsy.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 08:12:34 AM
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Glad to hear it.
My husband's Uncle was the most decorated Priest in WWII--but, unfortunately, because he is buried at the Passionist Monastery in Louisville, and because he is a priest first, soldier second, we can't put anything on his grave stone. I'd like for him to be remembered for all the men he served.
Karin, I too love to see the "sea" of flags on those stones. It's truly breathtaking, but also a great reminder of just how many there were lost--and then, there are those who are buried overseas. One trip I'd like to make in my lifetime is to Normandy to see their cemetery.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 08:40:29 AM
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My grandfather is a WW2 Fighting Ace, and my other grandfather served on the USS Ranger. I always make sure to call my grandfather on Memorial day and when I finally have a place that will let me mount a flag- I plan on doing so. My father was also in the National Guard and I too grew up feeing pride for my family, my country, and our soldiers.
I have been to Arlington Nation Cemetary, seen the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, seen the Black Wall and all the other monuments in our Nation's capital. It is a sight that is humbling and those images always remind me on these days how great a sacrifice so many people have given to the rest of us.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 09:27:34 AM
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Me too, Alee, though I was in 6th grade when I saw Arlington. Later, as an adult visiting DC a lot for friends, I drove by it many times but never went in.
Even as a small girl, I still understood the impact of the changing of the guards and the tomb of the unknown soldier. My mother asked me to get a rubbing of her favorite cousin's name who died in Vietnam when he was 18, for his mother and father, who had never been able to afford a trip to D.C. I remember having the volunteer help me, long after my class had gone on and one of the chaperones stayed behind so that I could get the rubbing. I remember crying because I didn't think I'd be able to get it and it seemed so important for my mother and her family....when I got home, she sent it to them and we got the nicest note I think I've ever read. They were just a farming family and he was drafted and it was their only child. I guess it made quite an impact that a 6th grader would do that for them.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 10:50:43 AM
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I wonder if any one remembers when Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. that was a day to go to the cemetaries and 'decorate' the gravesites. As Jonni's Gran used to say putting on 'sprays'. It was a more somber time remembering our dead and all the walking wounded too. I love to fly my RED, WHITE & BLUE. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 11:05:00 AM
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Mary Beth, my gran called it Rememberance Day and my Great Gran called it Decoration day....I love both of those days...and Veterans day was always Armistace Day to Grandma Dodie.
I would love to see photos our our porches all decked out in RW&B. Supposed to be good weather here this weekend, maybe I'll post a few.
J
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 12:47:37 PM
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That's really cool, Amie, thanks for sharing that link!!! Those crazy Victorians with their black streamers and all, they really knew how to say "celebration" ;)
I know, I know, it's for mourning and rememberance, it just kindof made me laugh.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
Edited by - KYgurlsrbest on May 23 2008 1:27:34 PM |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2875 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2875 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 1:24:55 PM
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| I have to admit, that is a big bonus of being in the Liberty Band. We will play 4 times this weekend, & all of them are ceremonial. (we played a support your troops rally last night, complete with a Black Hawk helicopter that landed right there & the crew came out.. How Cool!!) I am proud of our small towns here; they have a pretty decent attendance, including kids. On Veterans Day, we play for a service at West Union HS, & those kids are incredibly proud of their veterans. They give them a standing ovation & not 1 kid is out of line through the whole 1 1/2 hr assembly. Oh yeah, & our auditor happens to have a great voice, & he always sings "Proud to be an American" & everyone stands up, waves their flag & sings along. Small towns rule! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 1:28:31 PM
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I've not been to a Memorial Day celebration in West Union, Lisa, but Grove City was small and they did it up right, too. Sounds like you guys had fun last night, and will continue to do so over the weekend! Must be pretty inspiring, for sure!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9092 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9092 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 1:45:51 PM
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We always hang the flag out. Yes Mary Beth I remember when it was decoration day. We always went to the cemetery that day.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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HAINAngel2000
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Mary
Sweet Home
OR
USA
157 Posts |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 6:20:55 PM
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They put Flags on all the street light poles here in my town.
We will travel to all the cemeteries and place flowers on all the family graves. My mom has them all made and lined up in her living room when I went to her house tonight, she is ready, lol! It has always been our tradition as long as I can remember.
I live across the street from the Catholic Church cemetery. So it is a busy weekend across the street, but it looks so pretty on Monday & Tuesday. I think it is great to have a day of rememberance. Too bad some folks just think it is a day off work..
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Holidays: Memorial Day...do you hang your flag? |
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Memorial Day...do you hang your flag?
