It began as an event to
honor and to remember the Union dead from the American Civil War. After World War
I, it was extended to include all the men and the women who died while serving
in any war or military action. It initially was called Decoration Day, becoming
Memorial Day after World War II and officially named as such, by act of Congress,
in 1967. Over the ensuing years, it has become more and more a day in which
people recall and honor family members and friends who came
before them. The affiliation with the poppy, incidentally, began in 1918 and the
poppy became the American Legion official symbol of remembrance in 1920.
Enough with the history ....
To maintain my Semper Fidelis
attachments, included here are three videos (sort of) related to the U.S. Marine Corps. And,
in keeping with one of the traditions of the Corps, the photograph was "liberated" from
the internet where it was attributed to Getty Images.
32 comments:
Very nice videos Fram.All the wars America been into..then and now..I do feel about all the young ones killed in battle.Ohh yeah its a sad sad storie all of it..
Its nice to read you are doing well at your place.
About the invitment to dinner..hehehhe..I dont know about that one..I prefer much more to cuddel in some brave arms looking at a movie while we order a meal from the pitza hut heheh..and yes I do love your preferations about where to live..cant stand weeks with rain..
ok..as you see at my blog..I dont know what to do with the place..May be its time for a looong brake..but i will catch upon YOU my dear friend:))))
Love &Hugs
Anita
North and South collided with slavery?
It was a horrible and sad time for slaves and for all Americans.
It is good to remember history and hope that there will never be slavery again.
I do not know much about America's history and about what it is.
Sometimes I watched a television program about the US civil war and slavery. I do not remember the name of the program.
Thank you for the stories about the videos.
It is a fascinating paradigm, Anita:
Medical care on the battlefield has improved so dramatically that some are saying it is possible battle deaths will become a rarity in the future. Add to that, technology is producing robotics to do many dangerous tasks previously done by men. The end result in such a scenario would be fewer deaths, but significantly more severe physical and mental wounds requiring lifelong care and treatment. That, of course, equals more money required to provide the lifelong treatments. One problem sort of solved = a new problem sort of created.
What you describe seems to me to be phase two of the evening: First, go out for a meal and for entertainment. Next, go home, and as you put it, to cuddle.
It is difficult to blog on and on and on for years unless the context is based on a rather simple premise, such as a photograph a day in a certain city. However you decide to handle your blog, I hope you do not abandon it altogether.
Thank you, for your visit and your comment, Anita. You are a real sweetie, and I very much enjoy your company. Later, baby ....
Slavery is an absolute negative, for sure, but Southerners saw the situation as one of Northerners trying to wreck the Southern economy -- something they could not and would not tolerate. There are times when I think this country would be a better place if it were cut up into three or four slices, so to speak.
There is a handful of historians I deeply admire, Liplatus. Chief among them is Will Durant. In past years, I have written two or three posts about him and his wife, Ariel. He once wrote that he had studied religion (he was educated by Jesuits), and did not find the answers to life he was searching for there; that he had studied philosophy, and did not find the answers there, either; that he then turned to the study of history .... and, while not all the answers could be found there, most could be, so he stayed with it. The same is true for me.
My knowledge of history is mostly specialized, revolving around what I happen to be most interested in at a particular moment in time. But, from the study of specifics comes generalized knowledge which can be applied to other people in other places during other times. Hmmmm .... anyway, history answers many questions for me.
What you watched might have been a Ken Burns series originally aired on the Public Broadcasting Service here in America. He has done a number of specials, including ones on World War II and the Vietnam War.
Thank you, Liplatus, for your visit and your comment. You are a fascinating person, and I like hearing what you think about this and that ....
Uma homenagem justa a todos os homens e mulheres que morreram enquanto serviam nas forças armadas dos Estados Unidos.
É uma forma de respeito e agradecimento pelo trabalho que eles prestaram ao País. É válido e necessário a bandeira Americana ficar pendurada a meio mastro nesse dia especial.
Deve ser um dia meio triste para as famílias que tiveram seus entes queridos mortos enquanto serviam nas forças armadas.
Acho muito triste as pessoas participar de guerras, deveria existir outras formas menos dolorosa.
Colocar vidas na linha de fogo não acho justo, mesmo que seja para defender o Pais. Por mais que os soldados ama e respeita seu País, ela não gostaria de perder a vida.
Acho muito bonita essa homenagem.
As musica do vídeo é triste.
Boa semana Fram!
Sorrisos pra alegrar sua semana.
I heard a retired, two-star general speaking on Memorial Day. In response to a question, he replied that Memorial Day will always be a special day in the United States because those who had died in combat were special people and, in general, the American public knew it. Those who had been killed did not seek death or want to die, he said, but they were willing to give up their lives and to forsake their futures for two reasons: To preserve the lives of their comrades-in-arms and to preserve the concepts of individual freedoms and rights. He might be correct, but I suspect it is less simple than that, although those might be common traits.
In a personal sense, one of my grandmother's sisters had a son killed in World War II. My (sort of) step-father had his oldest brother killed in it, too. I saw first-hand their faces on many Memorial Days and Veterans Days. I grew up in a house literally next door to the American Legion hall, and could see and hear activities there. One of my grandfathers was the "last man" alive among veterans who founded the local post, and now I have the bottle of wine which came to him as the final survivor of "the last man's club."
I remember once upon a time, a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant asked me if I would be willing to die for my country.
I paused to think about it for several seconds, then replied, "Yes, I would."
He looked at me, smiled, and said, ".... .... .... not everyone can say that."
There is more I could mention, but the bottom line is that I am glad you liked this tribute, Smareis. Thank you ....
Un bello homenaje a esos valientes que dejan sus vidas en campos de batalla. ¡Malditas guerras! Que bello seria el mundo si no existieran.
Un saludo.
It seems to be an absolute truth that death and taxes will always be with us. I think it might be safe to add "war" to that list. Too many individuals believe in a religion or in a form of government or in an abstract philosophy of sorts to the point that they are convinced their cause is worth their own life -- not to mention the lives of other people. There never will be a way to subdue such individuals other than through conflict.
Thank you, Marina, for coming to visit me and for your comment. I truly appreciate both. And, you are right: The world could be a beautiful place if conflict and war were to vanish ....
Welcome back, officer! :-) The (online) battlefield has certainly missed you. :-)
Greetings from London.
Thank you, CiL ....
In a sense, I never have been absent in that I usually look in on the sea of blogs every day or two (or three), but I have not felt the need or had the motivation to publish many posts. This one, in fact, was a last minute effort. I am guessing I will only post once or twice a month unless lightning strikes and I am "reborn" -- in a manner of speaking.
Meanwhile, you take care, and keep your powder dry ....
Ohh boy you write funny both of you Fram and cil :)))Amusment for a blogger .Officer and keep your powder dry!!I smile!
Thanx for writing on my blog Fram.So you are cutting thegrass??!!!
I try to find something to write while I hear the newest bbc news..what a world we live in...
Uff I go back to iron my clothes..I say as Carole in Walking dead season 7..I just want to be alone.Tired of killings and everything else
See you around soldier!
Anita
In Minnesota, there are two seasons, Anita: Grass cutting season and snow shoveling season. Actually, I prefer to shovel, but, otherwise, opt for warm, sunny days.
I have been enduring a sore throat and body aches and pains for five days, and I am beginning to wonder if these things will go on forever.
As for the comment exchange between CiL and myself, you may or may not be aware, but back in the "black powder era" of gunpowder (essentially the Nineteenth Century and earlier) almost all rifles, shotguns, pistols and cannon were loaded by putting powder and shot down the barrel .... hence, the expression, "keep your powder dry," since wet powder obviously would not work. Wet powder could be a death sentence.
I would write more, but I need to search for relief through sleep .... take care, Anita, and see you here and there ....
Step again to thank your footprint in my humble space. Have a happy weekend.
Paso de nuevo para agredecer tu huella en mi humilde espacio.
Ten un feliz fin de semana.
My pleasure, Marina .... and, I would like to say you are welcome here anytime -- day or night. I would write more, but I am having some health issues this winter just ending and I need to focus on sleep and more sleep. Take care ....
Hola Fran, no te preocupes por no poder seguirme, a mí me pasa igual, quiero ponerme de seguidora en otros blogs y no me deja, me pone, esto es un error.
Estoy alegre con que me dejes unas letras. gracias mil veces gracia.
Feliz fin de semana.
Peso mis letras por el traductor. no sé si lo hace bien o no.
Hello Fran, do not worry about not being able to follow me, this happens to me, I want to get of follower in other blogs and not let me, makes me, this is an error. I am happy to let me lyrics. Thank you thousand times grace. Happy weekend. Weight my letters by the translator. I don't know if it does well or not.
Ohh baby r u sick????sorry to hear.Btw am having a soar throat myself..but but but..I am working!!
Thanx for nice note on my blog
Gain health soon .See you tiger!Grrrrr
The translator seems to be doing a fine job, Marina.
I think because I have had a problem three times each, with two separate systems at two different websites regarding my "photograph" when signing up as a follower .... I think in this instance it is a problem for me and not for you. I will continue to search for a means to solve it.
Fully, one-half my time is given over for sleeping. I need rest, but more than that, I need to "shake" this bug so it no longer is able to keep me down.
Take care, Marina .... see you around ....
This is beyond a sore throat for me, Anita, and it will have had its grips on me for two full weeks when Wednesday arrives. If I cannot rid myself of whatever it is by that time, I will find medical treatment.
Soooo .... do not worry if I am absent for a while. Everyone and everything needs a bit of rest and relaxation now and again .... who can say ?? Possibly, you will discover me arriving one day in the sunrise ....
ohh you are such a funny one!!Here we are thinking of you beeing ill..and then ,,then you need to relax!!!
Ok teasing:))Go and see the doctor Fram...
Ishall come back in some time,,just to see everything is ok with my one best blogger
Hasta la vista superman
Big kiss
Anita
Yes, Anita .... "a funny joker," as my son once described me. When I had "medical types" running in and out of the house "looking after" me and "checking up" on me in February, one of them told me it took a while to understand my sense of humor. I told her most people never do figure it out.
Knowing that you are a nurse, I still will say right up front that my confidence in the medical profession is lacking. My usual illustration is this: Walk into a doctor's office with a broken arm and he knows what to do; walk into a doctor's office saying that I do not feel well and this is why, and the next thing he has you taking every medical test known to humankind because he does not know what else to do.
Other than annual examinations, my visits to doctors are very few and very far between, so we shall see if this one actually happens or not ....
But, I also was serious about rest and relaxation -- the proverbial "R&R" .... that is on my "for sure" list, and probably will begin just as soon as I am back on my feet again.
Hmmmm .... my mind and my words are beginning to wander and to scatter with the wind. I must be a bit delirious, so I will curl up with a book and discover where the story takes me .... and, yes, Anita, do "come back in some time just to see everything is ok with my one best blogger ...."
About doctors Fram.they are only humans with a scholarship.so they try everything they have learn..in school to figure it out..the old doctors..well they stick into those old things..They have seen it before..and may be they got a cure for you..But only maybe.
Blood test as CrP and SR and so on will show what there may be wrong with you..So let those vampires.. take some blood..
Here in Norway summer is lacking..We have ok a little bit of sun..and tooo much grey weather and rain..Temp around 17 degrees..
Well some days ago I got my "summer money" from work.Alexander says to me..I am crazy doing that shopping..Heh Heh He says.."Mom you shoud Google how to use 70.000 Norwegian Kr in one day.."
So you know what Iam busy with...
See you around again...
I am not certain how to respond in terms of doctors, Anita. My impressions have formed over a number of years and from a number of personal experiences. I do keep going to them, though, but not any more often than is absolutely/positively/definitely necessary. I suppose one of these times, a doctor will look me in the eyes and say: "I am sorry, but it is too late .... if only you had come sooner .... I might have been able to do something to help you ...."
For the most part, the weather is cooperating with me, but my health continues to give me problems. No two days are the same. One day, I feel fine; the next, my head is spinning and my legs are wobbly. One night, I sleep long and soundly; the next, I am wracked with fits of coughing.
If you need any suggestions regarding spending money, never hesitate but to ask me. I am an expert at it .... and, be sure to spend some money on Alexander .... a guitar, maybe ....
I am about to disappear for a few weeks, Anita .... do not worry about my absence. I might visit the blogs now and then, but I need to straighten a few things out, and that takes time/time/time .... and, more time ....
Until another day, baby ....
Baby here and baby me there..Hello sweet Fram.Thats ok beeing absent for a while.Just remember to come back to the net.
And..Alexander is a very rich young boy now.Since I do not have anyone to deal my fortune with..well he is a lucky star.And yes very good to me.I love him very much.Take care with the health.Be good to your family.See you in the atumm then??
Love from.me.❤💚💛💜
I have a sense like I am about to break out of prison or to run a gauntlet or to swim across Superieur Lac de Conde. Whatever I do, it probably will not be nearly so grand, but, it definitely will be different and a real change of pace from what my lifestyle has evolved into the past few years: The last weekend of June, my son and two cousins and I will begin a few days of camping and canoeing.
After that, I will "fly the coop," in a manner of speaking. A number of years ago, I set out on what I came to describe as my "battlefield tour" of places relevant to the Plains Indian Wars. The "wars" roughly lasted from the mid-1850s through the Battle of Wounded Knee on December 29, 1890; my excursion roughly lasted six months, although it did not begin with that expectation.
Anyway, I want to do something similar now. I do not expect this venture to last more than a few weeks, but neither did I expect the other to go on and on and on, as it did. Sometime between now and June 25, which, incidentally, is "Custer Day," I will publish a post with a few more details about my plans.
I expect I will return before autumn, Anita, but who can say anything with certainty in these times ??!!
So, you and Alexander take care and stay safe .... and, love from me to you, too ....
You might have wanted to include Bob Dylan's line about "Scott Fitzgerald's books" in Ballad of a Thin Man. :-)
Greetings from London.
oh thats cute friend..actually love.spacelove...Well I hope you enjoy your stay seems awsome to me..I know you cant reply to this and i know you cant go blogging..I will set of to the mountains as soon as i got free from work..i have booked a stay at Hardagervidden.solitude with company of the dog ,,..Iwant to see those mountain foxes and beside Iam pretty tired of staying on internet..
I have been thinking much of you these days and hope enjoy your time by the campfire :)
Anita
Still drifting footloose and fancy free ....
Sort of floating with the wind ....
Sort of riding on a cloud ....
Where this will take us, I cannot say ....
Whispered the blind man to his dog ....
We travel an unknown path, replied the dog ....
I came up for air, in a manner of speaking. Two nights in a motel for showers and for sleep in a bed instead of in a Suburban or on the ground -- sometimes in a tent and other times with only the stars above me. I need to buy more food, too. After that, I will fade away for a while again.
CiL .... thank you, for the comment. Sorry it has taken me long to answer. I probably have heard all of Bobby Dylan's songs, but I doubt I know the complete lyrics to any of them, including the one with the F. Scott Fitzgerald reference. As for F. Scottie, I have read only two of his novels and a few short stories. He never really impressed me, which probably is my loss.
Anita .... thank you, for your last comment, and I am sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I spend much of my time daydreaming and enjoying the absolute marvels of Nature, while attempting to stay as uninformed about current events as possible. (Has Donnie Trump been impeached yet ??) I think about you, too, every day and wonder what you are doing.
Hello dear friend.Since you have closed comments on your new post (Is it the 24 hour deadline?If so Iam sorry Iam late)I say hello here..and wish it will reach you..
It is a good post.I love very much the classic version of Freddie Mercury - Mamma (Bohemian Rhapsody)and the text.Also Roy Orbison the last one.I see you are much into love these days.In fact I belived you had gone into a relationship again.
The words from a play?I love you. More than all you know. I love you more than children. More than fields I've planted with my hands. I love you more than morning prayers or peace or food to eat. I love you more than sunlight, more than flesh or joy, or one more day. I love you .... more than God.
Since I love to think about poems my mind says.This can not be real..Because man itselfs love himselfs the highest one..All thinking he may belive he she is into is..only satisfying his ego..But to choose between good and bad things to love..This is great..too really forget yourself for someone else..Many of us has done that thing million of times.I call it responsibility .
Well its only a poem ..Let me not dig into it .I only confuse.
So what have you been into this looong time friend??
Gazing at the stars with a long drink ?
How is Buddy?
I wont tell about myself.Its only a boring shitty thing.Earn much money though.Seems like I cant get enough of it.Easy comes easy goes.
Goodbye The Fram..
Wish you all good things....
Love Anita
ohh by the way..that Donnie thing..Iwonder whats going on with him and Putin...watch the latest news..
No, there is no twenty-four hour rule in play with these posts and these comments. I simply am not allowing comments so I do not have to find the means to look at my blog every day. In fact, I often go several days without even peeking at it, as I have this time.
And, I am not back to my routine life or to the blogs yet, either. I still am wandering, trying to collect my thoughts and to organize my "next incarnation" (my life) into one with purpose and meaning.
And, no, I am not in a relationship with anyone. My dog and I travel alone. Buddy is fine. He is a good friend and a fearless companion.
As for love, I think most often both men and women love themselves first and foremost. There are exceptions, of course, and occasions when both even will give up their lives for others or for a belief. It is not unusual for a soldier to throw himself on a grenade to save his comrades, for instance. On second thought, that probably is more of an instinctual reaction than an actual, reasoned decision. A better example might be when one among a group volunteers to die so others might live -- that would require actual mental deliberation, as well as considerable personal courage. Anyway ....
So, what have I been doing, she asks? The best answer is wandering: Driving here to there; canoeing on and swimming in lakes and rivers; walking in woodlands and meadows; shooting targets, but never a living thing; sleeping when I am tired and eating when I am hungry .... and, always, thinking and day-dreaming and admiring the "natural world."
No drinks, short or long .... not a taste of alcohol since January 11. The weather, incidentally, has been very autumn-like, which suits me fine. August usually has unbearable heat, humidity and bugs. I am very happy to be missing that this year -- the gods must be looking out for me, trying to keep me happy and smiling, by giving me weather-luck.
As for Donnie Trump, I like most of his ideas, but I cannot stand the man in a personal sense. I dislike him even more than I did Barack Obama, which I did not think ever could be possible (such was my distaste for Obama) .... but, the difference is that I also disagreed (vehemently) with most of Obama's actions and ideas, while (mostly) endorsing the plans and ideas of Trump.
I suppose I should mention that I am in a motel again for a few days. I do like to sleep in a bed on occasion and not be cut off from the news of the world for too long a period of time. Now that I have seen the news and have learned everything going on in this lemming-like world, I do have my doubts that Donnie will last four years.
And, I do have another "sort-of-post" scheduled to go up tomorrow night ....
So, Anita .... I also wish all good things for you and for Alexander -- especially health-luck, money-luck and love-luck. Stay safe and take care of yourself. Soon or later, I expect to find myself -- maybe even catch up with myself if I begin to wander in a circle. Hmmmm .... that would be fascinating .... I wonder how I would greet myself if it would happen ....
Thinking of you, baby ....
Well well dear Fram.Its aloong time now.Glad to hear your voice again.Seems strange but yeah I have been missing your postings.
So drifting along the road and life?As long as you are content and happy it pleases me.
I do like your post about old movies and the poem.Retro movies and film noir are my favourites.
Ok.Ishall not write long.
But do a sign from then and now ..Just to see you .. Feeling you are allright.
Looking forward to your next post.
Love Anita
So, Anita stays with me when I am absent for days -- even for weeks -- at a time. That pleases me, very much. Thank you, Anita.
In the overall scheme of things, I cannot say I am either content or happy. Mostly, I think, I am preoccupied with living life a day at a time. I enjoy being on the move every day or two or three .... but, I think life is catching up with me. I am beyond the era in which I relish sleeping on the ground or in a Suburban. Hmmmm .... "the days that are no more!" to borrow a line from Alfred, Lord Tennyson ....
August weather has been an aberration this year. Ordinarily, there is high heat, with temperatures ranging around one hundred (100) degrees Fahrenheit, and comparable high humidly with which one has to cope. This August, it has been uncharacteristic and unseasonable cold that one has had to adjust to, together with rain/rain/rain and wind/wind/wind. I did not anticipate this and really was not prepared to discover late October and November weather in July and August.
As someone who has camped in an ice hut on a frozen lake for a few weeks at a time in the dead of winter, I feel like a baby to whine about these things. But, in truth, my mind and my body are no longer equipped to face such harsh weather challenges .... I am out of shape and out of practice for such a life.
I will close this note with wishes that you are content and happy and enjoying life. Actually, I am home again now, and will be for another week or two or .... ???? I have one more "sort of post" scheduled for Saturday, August 26, but I am not ready to resume an "active role" on the sea of blogs .... I guess I am not sure I ever will be .... my mind still is "on the road" even if my body is not, and I need sleep and rest .... beyond that, I have no plans ...
Still thinking of you, Anita ....
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