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Category: Category 0
From: Dick Huddleston
Date: 19 May 2002
Time: 17:35:17
Remote Name: 24.206.76.17
This month we will observe "Memorial Day". When we were in AHS it was observed as "Decoration Day", May 30. This was established as a time to:
" Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
from the original proclamation in 1869 establishing it on May 30th. In the '60s, congress moved it to the Monday of the last weekend in May, to give federal workers a 3 day holiday.
Do you remember the little paper Poppies sold by VFW and others? Did you know that Moina Michael started that, and had a poem -
"We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies."
A 3c stamp was issued in her honor - http://www.stratplan.com/ahs/moina1.jpg -
Here's the kicker: After Sept 11, 2001, we understand a little more about heroes. And this year, we could use some 3c stamps, since the postal service will raise the postage for a letter from 34c to 37c. And the [opium] poppy is illegal to be grown here. It is the [corn] poppy that is used in the symbol.
Have a safe and thoughtful Decoration/Memorial Day!
P.S. I have no idea how this message will look/format - hope it's readable.
Dick
