Fort
Snelling -- known in its original incarnation as Fort Saint Anthony -- has been
a major fixture and landmark atop the bluffs near the confluence of the
Minnesota and Mississippi rivers since the 1820s. Soldiers of the 5th
Infantry Regiment commanded by Colonel Josiah Snelling constructed the fort
between 1820 and 1824. Upon the completion in 1825, the Army renamed it Fort
Snelling in honor of its commander and architect. The historic segment, shown
in the lower photograph, is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. My
first visit there was part of a class trip when I was twelve years old, and I
can vividly remember being in the "round tower." Generations of military
personnel have passed through Fort Snelling during its 200 years in existence,
and many are buried in the national cemetery, a portion of which is shown in
the upper photograph.
Sort of a
genetics & environment mix -- I guess
I grew up in a
small town in a house next to an American Legion hall. Memorial Day and
Veterans Day were special times there, with church services and ceremonies
conducted by the Legion. After arriving in the United States in the 1850s, my
ancestors participated in "every war" including and since the Civil War. One, a lieutenant in
the U.S. Army 2nd Calvary, was killed by Sioux during the Plains Indian Wars.
His younger brother moved on and became an Arizona Ranger. In
those respects, it seems like I was predestined to take the oath of enlistment
at some point in time.
Memorial Day
began informally. Decorating soldiers' graves with flowers is a tradition as
old as time immemorial, and by 1865 some southern states had precedents for
Memorial Day. A formal "Decoration Day" was held May 30, 1868, at Arlington
National Cemetery. By the close of the 19th Century, traditions were merging and
Decoration Day / Memorial Day was becoming the day to honor all Americans who
died while in the U.S. military service.
Memorial Day was
observed on May 30 until 1968 when members of Congress in their infinite zeal
to curry favor passed a three-day holiday act which moved the day to the third
Monday of May and designated it a federal holiday beginning in 1971. Nothing
like faux patriotism and a pledge for a chicken in every pot to muster votes ....
in my opinion.
The day gradually
has evolved into an occasion to remember any and all family members who came
before us. This, I recall from my childhood, driving to various cemeteries to
place flowers on graves.
I will do a few
things today -- Monday, May 25 -- since most everyone else is .... but, being sort of an old-fashioned traditionalist, I will wait until May 30 to pay homage to those who came before
me and to put things in more of a military perspective .... see you then ....
In the meanwhile,
here are three songs for you. Listen to one or to two or to all, but I hope
you will listen to them in the context of Memorial Day and -- especially -- listen closely to the lyrics ....
Yiruma
/ River Flows in You ....
John
Lennon / Imagine ....
Queen / Under Pressure (written by David Bowie) ....
14 comments:
Good morning, Fram :-)
As I sip my morning coffee in the sunshine I smile at the picture you've painted of both history and your life...beautiful writing, as always. You remind me of how much I've always loved your thoughts and writing. You've also picked three of my favorite songs...double beautiful. Yiurma always brings me to tears, John Lennon and Queen, especially written by David Bowie, well, could it be any better? I think not.
Thank you for your lovely post! Did you know there is a project called Operation Song? Musical artists are talking to veterans and creating songs about their lives to honor them. What a song your life would be :-)
Happy Memorial Day Soldier! You are one of our heroes, thankfully, not fallen. Enjoy your day!
Nice to learn some history today Fram!
Great photoes!
I like the Music
The first River flows in you.I remember very well when the Twilight Serie was a hit many years ago.Alot of discusssions if this was the real soundtrack of the Movie/Serie or if it was Bellas Lullaby.So we had to listen to the Music on the radio alot of times.We got tired of it ,11 years ago!
But nice to see you bring the piano play back again
Anyway
"River Flows in you "by Yuruma is a super beautiful piano play
Today I like most Yoko Ono and John Lennons Music if I could choose (Nice text pluss video )
All in all a great post
Wish you a good day!
Good afternoon, Kelly .... I am pleased beyond words that you have come here today .. that you like the post .. that you have written a comment.
Yiruma is here because of you. Lennon is here because I have gained a significantly greater appreciation of him as an individual and as a music man. Queen is here because for some time the band has been the highest among my favorites. It was not until recently, however, that I came to realize the importance of Roger Taylor to the band because of his relationship with Freddie Mercury and because his singing has been so key to the music. Live and learn ....
No, I have not heard of Operation Song and would need to learn more before commenting about it. Curiosity -- plain and simple -- has been the driving force of my life .... always wanting to see what is around the next bend in the river and trying to experience as many elements and aspects of life as I am able. How does one learn about military life or classroom teaching or newspaper work or four-season/all-terrain/all-weather camping or roles within a prison or marriage/divorce or anything else without actually being a part of it? Experience is the best teacher, but, ultimately, I still am unsure if it has been worth anything other than, as Alfred, Lord Tennyson once wrote: "I am a part of all that I have met ...."
Take care, Kelly, stay healthy and safe and whistle if a great white shark comes into view ....
Greetings, Norwegian girl ... the "Twilight" saga/series did not appeal to me at any level (vampire stories are so unimaginative), so I am not familiar with either the written or film versions. I have listened to Bella's Lullaby and I do like it, but not as well as "River Flows in You" and think the sound of the lullaby is a bit too harsh for a piano. Beyond the music, I think Bella is an absolutely lovely name and sometimes wish I had a daughter with that name.
Yes, John Lennon is/was a fantastic musician. I have gained a greater appreciation of him and am considering a post about him.
All-in-all, I am glad you like the post and pleased that you have come and have written a comment for me, Anita. Thank you. Take care and stay healthy and be safe and do not get into too much mischief ....
We visited Fort Snelling on our trip to MN a few years ago. It was very late in the day, so we only had time to take in the lovely view.
Too many folks have lost touch with the real meanings behind some of our holidays. I'm guilty of that myself, at times. Today, for me, was a trip out of town for a doctor appointment... so no real celebrating - not that I think my small town had anything planned due to the current circumstances. My veteran husband always enjoys seeing what war films or documentaries he can find on TV on these holidays.
I hope your celebration, whenever and however, is meaningful to you.
My only activity of the day was a small, politically correct ceremony staged by the American Legion this morning. The days of family get-togethers have faded into memory, and the pandemic has brought an end to parades and other events -- for this year, anyway.
When next weekend arrives I will be driving 150 miles to spend it with a cousin, the only relative remaining in the "old home town." He and I will make cemetery rounds on the 30th and, if the weather cooperates, try a bit of water skiing and trap shooting.
I have two daughters and a son. The son had weekend plans. The girls live on the West Coast, so we see each other only two or three times a year. The daughters are by different wives and had no associations with the coast. One moved there and a couple years later the other moved there. The first one is in a suburb of Portland, Oregon, and the second one is in Vancouver, Washington, so they are right across the Columbia River and about ten miles from each other. There are coincidences in life, and there are "impossibly strange" coincidences. Both have suggested we all meet in canoes in the middle of the river.
Actually, you have been to Fort Snelling more recently than I have, but I hope to remedy that this summer. My mother and "sort of step-father" both worked for the Veterans Administration at Fort Snelling.
I hope the visit to a doctor was not due to a serious issue ....
Thank you, Kelly of Arkansas. I am pleased that you have come and have written a comment for me. Take care and stay healthy and be safe and keep your powder dry ....
Our girls are both about a two hour drive away (in opposite directions), but even so, we don't manage to all come together very often. With the boy in the far north, we rarely see him. It was a real treat last fall when he came back here (for the first time in five years) and we all were able to gather for an early Thanksgiving. That's interesting about your daughters. A meeting in the middle might be fun... but maybe if their mothers are not invited? ;)
I smiled at your last line. You might be surprised to know just how much powder there actually is around here...
Welcome back, Kelly ....
To the best of my knowledge, my two former wives never have met and only seen each other once from a distance of about 30 to 40 yards. I suppose it might be possible they would enjoy comparing notes about what a jerk I am .... hence, no middle of the river meeting with them included.
I have no contact with former No. 1 per the request of her current husband. He had a multi-million lawsuit settlement from IBM several years ago, so they are beyond well off. I have not seen former No. 2 for two years, but we still talk once or twice a week on the telephone, mostly about the kids. Hmmmm .... one former is a natural light blonde and the other is the darkest of dark brown .... I suppose there is some explanation for that ....
Since you are a farmer, I suppose there might be dynamite not too far away on the grounds .... but, if you are talking powder in the sense of ammunition only, I might or might not be surprised. I keep a few thousand rounds each in a variety of calibers and loads pretty much within reach .... gives me a sense of security. I have a rifle range and a handgun range and a combat pistol course set up at the Dakota house, and can burn quite a bit in a few hours there.
Curious me .... do you have a concealed carry permit? If so, what do you carry when you carry?
On that note, farewell and take care and good night ....
My husband use to reload shotgun shells, so our powder is of that variety.
I do have my CCL, but don't really ever carry. If I were to, it would probably be my Colt (Mustang) 380, though I have a Ruger .22 that I really like. Honestly, if I'm going to get out and shoot for fun, I like shooting clay targets with a shotgun.
For what it is worth, I have a .380 Colt Mustang that I frequently slip into a coat pocket. I put Pachmayr grips on it to enlarge the gripping area, swapped out the springs for Wolffs, made a few changes to the main spring and trigger and other areas. Bought it (new) at a gun show from a retired sheriff in Nebraska. Shoots like a charm.
I often use a Colt Combat Commander in .38 Super and I also have a Glock 30S (.45) that I call my back pocket gun, which is an apt description.
Reloading never has been a serious interest for me, but I do like to modify 1911s and have a few. I have a 1911 "race gun" I built myself and tried my luck in a couple of open competitions. Not very pretty, but a good shooter. I participated in a trap league two summers, but I am a lousy shot with a shotgun and gave it up.
Thank you, for your reply, Kelly. I think I will find Ordinary World and listen to it ....
Hello friend.
Just Wonder what is happening in Your town?
Looks pretty bad !!!
we have some Direct sendings right now from Minneapolis and St.Paul.
News says "VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS: For the third day in a row, several thousand protesters have taken to the streets of Minneapolis. The demonstrations have evolved to deal with violence and looting in parts of the city.
It is very dark overthere!Here we have beautiful daylight!
Al! good to you friend!
Take care!
xxx
One of the expressions used over and over again by television newscasters in this country is this: "We don't know what we don't know." It becomes especially tedious and sounding stupid when you hear it repeatedly over the span of a few minutes. But, it is an accurate statement and an honest one. Here is what I know:
Minneapolis police received an anonymous call a few days ago reporting a black man had passed counterfeit money in a store. Police responded. The black man was very drunk and refused to cooperate, so four officers took him down. At some point the man died. As far as I know, the cause of death remains unknown.
Video was released of the takedown, and a number of people began to protest, calling it police brutality. Some among them began to destroy property, loot stores and set cars and buildings on fire. Rather than waiting for investigations to be concluded, the idiot mayor of Minneapolis immediately demanded the four officers be charged with a crime. The University of Minnesota immediately cut all ties with the Minneapolis Police Department. Demonstrations turned into riots. Uff da .... some people are ....
Who can say where it will lead? Either calm will be restored or the riots will go out of control as they have in other cities when similar incidents took place.
Thank you, Anita, for checking on me and this business. It all is taking place 10 to 15 miles from where I live. This is a neighborhood of multi-races and multi-religions, and we all get along fine. Once upon a time, I would have been a "practicing journalist" standing with a camera between the police and the rioters, but these days I can always abandon ship, grab my guns and some cash, and take off for my bunker in Dakota if World War III erupts .... sort of joking there ....
I hope all is well and fine with you and Alexander .... I do have my "actual Memorial Day" post going up on May 30. It is nothing spectacular, but it will be there ....
Hello :-)
Just checking in on you too, like Anita. I figure you are well-armed and safely tucked away at home. I see from the above that you are well. These things happen when we live in big cities. This is the reason why I can't wait to get the heck out of mine! Stay safe, well and happy! Big hug to you <3
Yes, it really is like that from time to time in metropolitan areas.
I can remember standing on an interstate highway overpass in Saint Paul a few years ago watching marchers go by beneath chanting, "Kill the pigs," in reference to police. A young lady was leading the parade ....
So, California Kelly, thank you, too, for checking up on me and the scene here in the land of "Minnesota Nice." Actually, I think people are pretty much the same wherever -- some kind, some mean; a few good, a few evil .... most simply hanging out and trying to get along and avoid conflict.
Thank you, for your concern, Kelly .... stay safe / be vigilant / be healthy and happy ....
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