Memorial Day...

I ask this of my readers, on this Memorial Day To Whom Do You Honor?

Memorializing our nations hero's began during the Civil War when Southern ladies, put flowers and items of remembrance on both Confederate and Union Soldiers graves.
It was in 1868 that Commander in Chief, John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued General Order 11. He declared it to be for the purpose of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers who died defending their country during the Civil War.  That first Memorial Day Ceremony or "Decoration Day" as it was known then.Took place at Arlington National Ceremony with the placing of the wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier. Graves throughout the cemetery were also decorated with small American Flags.
But some argue that the first memorial day actually took place with those good southern ladies a few years prior.

For many Americans the day involves parades and cookouts, It has also become known as the unofficial start of summer. The Indianapolis 500 has been traditionally ran on this weekend since 1911, and NASCAR jumped on board in 1961 with the running of the Coca-Cola 600 the same day.

But Again, I ask the question: "Whom do you honor on Memorial Day"?  For me its people like my Great Great Uncle who died in Germany during WW1. I also think of ancestors who perished during the Civil War, and all those who died in wars since. I think of Seal Team 6 on Memorial Day, who's helo went down and all on board perished. And I think of Hero's like "The Sullivan Brothers" who in WW11 were stationed together on board the USS JUNEAU..they died together when it was struck by a torpedo.  I think of all those Military members who perished in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and battles across the Pacific and Europe.
All these Americans were hero's. If not for them and thousands others...we wouldn't have the freedoms we do know. We owe them our lives. We owe them our respect and gratitude.
They Sacrificed so much so we could stay free... 

Labor Day

Today we honor the hardworking citizens of this country. Those that have labored, sweat and broken their backs for jobs to keep food on the table, and a roof over their heads.
There are so many hard working people in this country that deserve so much better then the cards they are currently being dealt.
When I think of hard working Americans, the first person that comes to mind is my hubby SENIOR.
he spent 20 years in the Navy, retired and is now a small business owner. He rises at sunrise, to get his equipment and maintains yards and commercial properties through the heat of the day. He does this so I can remain a stay at home mom and be here for he and our kids. He is an excellent provider and overall hardworking American--and Yes HE DID BUILD HIS BUSINESS without ANY government loans or assistance of any kind.

Another individual that comes to mind on Labor day, is my Dad. He was in the Navy for 10 years, then got out and worked at a local steel plant. When that job was going no where, he got on with the local fire department, where he served honorably for 35 years. Many times he left a hot dinner on the table to answer the call. I can recall him dragging in tired the next morning from being out on "runs" all night. Only to shower, change clothes, and head out to work a second job. You see, being a public servant didn't pay well- and honestly it still doesn't . But he had to work a second job to compensate his family with a little extra.

Then there is my Grandfather--he died working in the mills of South Carolina. Up at the ungodly hour of 430 every morning, through cold, rain and whatever else mother nature threw at him to walk every day to the mill where he worked. His hands were large and calloused from working the looming machines, his clothes would be covered in cotton he would make the walk back home every afternoon. During my summer visits I would run to the bottom of the hill to meet him and he would lift me up on top of his shoulders. And after the long day at the mill, he would work his garden till the sun went down.

So, on this labor day- I salute on my little blog those people across our great country like My hubby, Dad and Grandfather, that have sacrificed being at home with family, who have sweat blood to help keep this country running.

There are so many of our kinsmen out of work on this Labor Day, they have lost everything in this bad economy, their retirement is gone, their savings depleted, They feel they have no hope. All I can do is pray that those hardworking folks don't buy back in to the speeches of the current administration. I pray that they acknowledge our Country can not afford Four more years of this, and let a voice be heard on election day.