FReeper Canteen ~ Memorial Day 2015 ~ 25 May 2015

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

The FReeper Canteen Observes ------------------------ Memorial Day 2015 ------------------------

 

History

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet (see below) carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

More history here.

 

 

 

 

Poetry & SONG

MEMORIAL DAY In distant field of sunny France Where strangers come and go, Amid the farms of Flanders, where The fragrant breezes blow, Our soldier-dead in quiet sleep 'Neath crosses row on row. Here shrapnel shells once shrieked and burst And took their toll of death; The very wind, itself a foe, Bore poison on its breath. Above their graves the birds now sing As round that home of yore, When, carefree boys, they romped and played; Those childhood days soon o’er, The boys to brave and strong men grown, They romped and played no more. They put aside their childish toys, A man’s work each must do, And when their country called for them, To her they answered true. "We must protect our native land: She shall not suffer wrong For she has reared and nurtured us, We’re men and we are strong. We’ll bid good-by to those we love; It will not be for long." With aching hearts and tear-dimmed eyes We watched them go away. Some have returned but many sleep In foreign lands today. Where English roses bloom and fade, In France where lilies grow, Among the fields of Flanders, where The scarlet poppies blow, Our soldier-dead are not forgot Though strangers come and go. ~By Eula Gladys Lincoln~

America the Beautiful - 1913 O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self the country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the enameled plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea! O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America ! America ! God shed his grace on thee Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee! O beautiful for glory-tale Of liberating strife When once and twice, for man's avail Men lavished precious life ! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!

 

 

 

 

 

Links to redrock's
Memorial Day Threads from 2006

"We Can Be Heroes.....Just For One Day"
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 1


"Just Another Drunk Indian..."
MEMORIAL DAY--Thread # 2


"Chocolate Chip Cookies"
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 3


"Hey...Do Ya Wanna Hear a Polish Joke???"
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 4

 

"Remember...What We Owe.."
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 5


"The Betrayal of The American Soldier"
MEMORIAL DAY Thread # 6


Final -- "Falls The Night"
MEMORIAL DAY Thread # 7

 

 

 

 

[luvie]

I don’t know when I’d get the chance. :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, my....plans for tomorrow with military friends? VFW activities?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

[mylife]

It’s all kinda open, thought we was going to the V today but my runnin buddy conked out

We may make the Masterchief ride a mini bike in the parade tomorrow.. and have a larf..

[mylife]

He travels to small towns

Keep yer ear to the rail.

[Kathy in Alaska]

ML...you survived the day! ((HUGS))

On a scale of 1 to 10, how was the recital?

Everyone have a good time.

I assume you are exhausted.

[SandRat]

[ConorMacNessa]

Re-posting this link I received last year in an email from ExTexasRedhead:

Heartbreaking: those who dress fallen warriors for eternity

I have had occasion to join in more than a few military funerals, at Arlington and elsewhere, and I can testify that the Troops who provide this support - this Ministry - from the time our Fallen arrive from the war zone until the end of their funeral services - are outstanding Soldiers and exemplars of all that is good in our Military and our Beloved Nation.

At Arlington, the Old Guard, in addition to guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns and taking part in funerals of their fellow soldiers - and family members - in the Army, also provide the caisson support for all senior officers of all branches of our Military. My Father, as a Senior Officer in the Navy, had the horse-drawn caisson with the Old Guard, a Navy Band, Pallbearers and firing squad. The Navy Chaplain present presented me the Flag that draped his coffin with consummate dignity and rendered a hand salute.

Also present were two "Ladies of Arlington." They are a group of patriotic ladies who staff every funeral at Arlington National Cemetery to prevent any of our Fallen Bothers or Sisters being laid to rest without someone present to acknowledge their service and sacrifice.

I could discourse at great length about the reverent service provided by the Troops and civilians - many of whom are military family - to our Fallen.

God Bless Them, God Bless Them All, God Bless Them Good!

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[combat_boots]

Hymn to a Hero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYfMSZ3tMcY

Written by a father, for his son.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Memorial Day...God Bless them all.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, EX...(HUGS))...thanks for helping honor our fallen warriors.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

In first....PRO grabs the gold!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Very late this Memorial Day....

Permission Granted!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....mountainlion grabs the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....Janey bags the bronze!!

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Kathy!

***HUGS***



Coming aboard as we speak. Rendering Hand Salutes to our National Colors and to the Officer of the Deck!

I feel the presence this evening of men I have known, and with whom I have served. They, like so many others in the history of our Nation, gave all in defense of our Freedom. Their sacrifice stands as a beacon and example for those of us who remain - the battle continues and we must soldier on!

[Kathy in Alaska]

my!

[South40]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv....beautiful tribute. ((HUGS))