Happy Memorial Day!
Memorial Day weekend is once again upon us. Memorial Day was originally observed on May 30 each year. In 1971 it was changed to the 4th Monday in May to create a 3-day weekend out of it (to facilitate travel plans and so that it didn't break into the work week, I would presume). It was originally called Decoration Day but was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1967. It unofficially begins the summer season which ends with Labor Day in early September.
The purpose of celebrating Memorial Day is to honor service men and women who gave their lives for their country. Our current culture has expanded this idea to include honoring all deceased family members by placing flowers on their graves. The cemeteries takes on a new look with all the flowers..
Locally there is a service hosted by the American Legion that honors those who gave their lives in service to their country. The Avenue of Flags displays flags that were donated in honor of these brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.
The poppy is a symbol of Memorial Day and comes from the idea of the poppies that grew in Flanders Field where many who were killed in World War I were buried in Belgium. It was memorialized in the poem, "In Flanders Field" written by John McCrae in 1915. I see today that there are poppies out in local businesses around town.
If you live in Springview, Nebraska, it's the weekend when many of those who graduated from Keya Paha County High School come back for the Alumni Banquet hosted each year and honors those who graduated 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or maybe even 80 years ago. It's a fun time when old classmates get together to catch up on the last 10 years and view pictures of their classmates' children... and eventually their grandchildren. Traffic around town increases, and it's nearly impossible to go downtown during this weekend without running into someone from out of town that you haven't seen in years.
Local celebrations are kicked off with the Annual Fiddler's Jamboree. I can't really elaborate since Mike would never agree to go so I didn't either. This year we plan to attend!
For many it is a weekend to begin the summer fun like camping and fishing and boating and, of course, BBQing. It's a great weekend to get together with family and friends and celebrate. The weather has usually warmed enough to enjoy being outside.
For us it is a 3-day weekend which we always look forward to. Many times family will arrive in town to put flowers on the graves of family members and we get a chance to catch up with our visiting. For us, this year, it is the first weekend we have been home in more than a month, so we are looking forward to catching up around the house. That sewing project that I blogged about some time ago is still unfinished so it's probably time to get going if it's going to be done in time.
So whatever your plans are this weekend...whether you are attending a class reunion or hitting the lake for some time outdoors, visiting or hosting family or friends or simply laying back at home...I hope you have a fun-filled 3-day weekend! Happy Memorial Day!
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| Avenue of Flags at Mount Hope Cemetery |
Locally there is a service hosted by the American Legion that honors those who gave their lives in service to their country. The Avenue of Flags displays flags that were donated in honor of these brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.
The poppy is a symbol of Memorial Day and comes from the idea of the poppies that grew in Flanders Field where many who were killed in World War I were buried in Belgium. It was memorialized in the poem, "In Flanders Field" written by John McCrae in 1915. I see today that there are poppies out in local businesses around town.If you live in Springview, Nebraska, it's the weekend when many of those who graduated from Keya Paha County High School come back for the Alumni Banquet hosted each year and honors those who graduated 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or maybe even 80 years ago. It's a fun time when old classmates get together to catch up on the last 10 years and view pictures of their classmates' children... and eventually their grandchildren. Traffic around town increases, and it's nearly impossible to go downtown during this weekend without running into someone from out of town that you haven't seen in years.
Local celebrations are kicked off with the Annual Fiddler's Jamboree. I can't really elaborate since Mike would never agree to go so I didn't either. This year we plan to attend!
For many it is a weekend to begin the summer fun like camping and fishing and boating and, of course, BBQing. It's a great weekend to get together with family and friends and celebrate. The weather has usually warmed enough to enjoy being outside.
For us it is a 3-day weekend which we always look forward to. Many times family will arrive in town to put flowers on the graves of family members and we get a chance to catch up with our visiting. For us, this year, it is the first weekend we have been home in more than a month, so we are looking forward to catching up around the house. That sewing project that I blogged about some time ago is still unfinished so it's probably time to get going if it's going to be done in time.
So whatever your plans are this weekend...whether you are attending a class reunion or hitting the lake for some time outdoors, visiting or hosting family or friends or simply laying back at home...I hope you have a fun-filled 3-day weekend! Happy Memorial Day!
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