well, I meant to say happy Memorial Weekend. I doubt if it's Memorial Day! Geesh.

I must have been focused on all the yummy food that's going to be prepared and devoured this weekend.

Thanks!!

MEMORIAL DAY The day we Americans honor and remember the brave and dedicated men and women of the armed services who have given their lives for the freedom and safety of people, not only of the USA but around the world.
As far back as I can remember 2 of my Great Grans, Grandmother, Mom, Aunts, Sister and I have placed on the graves of our family and friends fallen soldiers red, white and blue flowered wreaths with the words "Thank You" & "We Remember". Then the family would gather to have a dinner and share what we knew of these men and women and give thanks for what we have because of the many others like them willing to fight and die for what they believed would be better life for their loved ones. The other ladies I shared the task with are gone now and I have my Step daughter and a niece who continue the tradition with me. Their daughters will join with us for the first time this year.
There is one more fallen hero than last year. A dear friends grandson has given the ultimate sacrifice this past year.
I know there are many people who consider this weekend to be the un-official start of summer and party for the 3 day week-end. I understand this desire to escape the work and drudgery of normal life. I hope you will take a moment during your celebrations to please remember, honor and offer a prayer for those who have fought and died so that we may enjoy the freedom we have. I would hope others around the world who have hope because of the men and women of our armed services giving all they have for them would take a moment to "remember them also".
A free, peace filled and safe Memorial Day to all.

LIL

Absolutely beautiful words and sentiments, Liljunkr. Thank you, I hope you and all of my KT friends, have a wonderful weekend, Jasdip. Our daughter and gr daughter are on their way up from MPLS for the weekend. I did all of the cooking and baking, yesterday, for the weekend, so all I have to do it heat and serve and enjoy the company.

Thanks, Jasdip, nice of you to remember. Do you have a similar holiday in Canada?

LIL, that was very touching. I know first-hand what it is to lose a husband in war, so besides those than gave their lives also bless the families who lost their child, brother or sister, mother or father. They pay a certain price the rest of their lives.

On a lighter note, I just finished "peeling" and dicing a whole watermelon (with seeds) and a cantaloupe. Geez, the watermelon took 2 of the largest bowls I have with lids. We'll be eating it 'til it comes out our ears.

We don't have any plans for the weekend. It kind of snuck up on us--usually a lot of to-do before hand, but not this year. I would like to drive down to Bushnell to the National Cemetary and watch the ceremonies there, but it's too far and too hot. Going to be 90 every day for the next 5 days according to the newspaper. We'll cookout--probably ribs. Haven't really planned!

I wonder how watermelon would hold up on a trip to Canada? :-)

Memorial Day Weekend, (formerly, and AFAIC still a better & more appropriate name, "Decoration Day") when people honor the dead by packing up and heading out of town, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, backyard BBQs and grilling, get drunk and rowdy and complain about the traffic.

It used to be May 30th but we fat Americans need another reason to eat and drink so it was made into a 3 day weekend by law.

A couple points of trivia of which few people are aware: The custom is to fly the flag at half-mast until noon, after which it's raised until sunset. Also, in 1999 Bill Clinton requested people observe a National Moment of Remembrance, which asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. to honor the fallen in an act of national unity. The time was chosen because 3 p.m. "is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday." I wonder how many will do this.

Sorry Jasdip, but I understand that non-metric food doesn't transport across the border, so I can't send you anything. Of course you know I would if there wasn't that problem. Of course I would. Yeah. You know. That's the ticket.

Around here, scattered showers possible, hot and sticky Monday so that means possible severe weather again.

Enjoy your weekend everyone, north, south, east & west of the borders.

After church today we are headed to the Hacienda for a get together for my oldest Granddaughter's birthday. It is very hot for this early in the morning and humid. 70 already and I think the sun is coming out so it will warm up even more!

Everyone enjoy your holiday.

Sue

I feel sorry for the bikers attending "Rolling Thunder"--it is going to be 96 degrees tomorrow, with thunderstorms. The weather never seems to be good for that amazing event. I know there will be a lot of bikers there, because our land borders Route 66, which goes into Washington, DC--and we've been hearing the roar of their motorcycles constantly since Friday.

God bless America, and God bless all who served her.

IMO there's *nothing* "Happy" about Memorial Day. It's a solemn day of remembrance, of shared grief over the many wars that have killed and maimed our own and those of other nations.

"Happy" would be an end to wars.

I bought my paper poppy today from a gentleman even older than I. He was dressed immaculately. He rose with effort to accept my donation and to thank me, looking me right in the eye. "No, sir. Thank *you*."

Thank you, my ancestors, you who fought with Washington you who died in Confederate prison. Thank you, Grandfather, whose casket flag I hold dear. Thank you, my uncles. Thanks to all who risk scorn, injury, even death *opposing* war.

This can only be a sad day for me, remembering all those hopes and dreams lost to WAR.

chisue - I agree.

Patti, in Canada on November 11 we honour and remember our fallen military - the 11th day of the 11th month on the 11th hour we shall remember them.

My thoughts go out to all family members of fallen soldiers and for those still serving.

Anne

I've never seen anyone on US tv wear poppies, so I didn't know that you did. Thanks for mentioning that Sue. I didn't mean to minimize or belittle your Memorial weekend Sue. I do know that it's still a time to get together with friends and family and it's to be enjoyed.

Here, poppies are very popular in the days leading up to November 11. A lot of people buy and wear them, and everyone on tv sure does. That's our day of Remembrance, as Anne mentioned.

There are really 3 days in the states dedicated to the brave people of our armed services. Memorial Day the last Monday in May or first Monday in June. Then Nov., 11 we celebrate Veteran's Day in the states . Dedicating the day to those who have served honorably in the military and have come back to us and are no longer in the service. Then we also have the not well known Armed Forces Day May 21.

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.

This might be of some interest. D.O.D. website photos archive.

http://www.defense.gov/WeekInPhotos/WeekInPhotosList.aspx

Click on any week to get the photo slide show to open.

LIL

Here is a link that might be useful: WEEK IN PHOTOS - ARCHIVE

To clear up an error in dates, Armed Forces Day is not always May 21st as was this year. It is the third Saturday of May, so the date for 2012 is the 19th according to the calendar I have. Now it has 2 April 13ths and no 15th so I can not verify the accuracy of the day but always the 3rd Saturday in May.

LIL

My dad fought and was wounded in WW11. He passed away last year at ths time. My mom passed away 3 years ago at this time. This is a very sad time for me. My husband was in Viet Nam and I have a lot of other military people in my family including my son who is in the Guards. We are going to the Memorial Day service they are having. Then we will go down to Pierre to see the Oahe Dam where they are letting a lot of water out and a lot of homes and businesses will get flooded. I was from Bismarck ND and North of there is the Garrison Dam and this week they are letting out a 100,000 gallons of water out a second and in 2 weeks 155,000 gallons per second. They say they can fill a football field in 7 minutes with that much water. So this will be a chain reaction all the way down the river and I have a lot of relatives that will be flooded out in Bismarck when this happens. This is not a very happy time for me

jasdip -- I know you meant only good. It's certainly not your fault that so many Americans ignore the real meaning of the day or that retailers jump on every opportunity to promote their goods.

Memorial Day picnics probably stem from Remembrance Day (and Sundays), when many families would spend the day in peaceful cemeteries visiting with one another in the 'presence' of deceased loved ones.

Jasdip,
Of course you only meant to pass on good wishes. I wouldn't ever think you were belittling or minimizing the day's meaning. chisue has it right, retailers make any opportunity to sell sell sell and so many Americans ignore or really don't know the real meaning of the day.

bengardening, My condolences for the losses you have suffered over the past few years. I will pray you can find solace and remember the happier moments of your shared times. It is inevitable Death will eventually take all we love in time if it doesn't come for us first. Our only chance is that we might live full, enriching lives and pass on something special to others. Your father was a hero as are your husband and son.
The releasing of the water from the dams is awful for so many people and it is not taken lightly by those who had to make this decision. Fact is it would be devastating and possibly deadly for many more should the dams burst (still a distinct possibility). This way, with warning, at least people are able to get affairs in order and take what they want from the planned flooding area. Nothing like a flash flood, a tsunami, a Cat 5 tornado, an earthquake or a wind whipped wildfire to make you see the better side of this.

LIL

TY LILJUNKER. Most of the time I am ok with their passing but this is just a bad time. Im glad they dont have to suffer anymore. I agree with what you said about all of the bad things that happen. Sometimes I say my parents are the lucky ones so they dont have to see this, including the high prices of food and gas.