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(photo: Justin Casey/Unsplash)As we observe Memorial Day 2023, take a moment and reflect on the reasons why Americans recognize this day for our fallen heroes. Continue reading “Observing Memorial Day 2023”
(photo: Justin Casey/Unsplash)As we observe Memorial Day 2022, take a moment and reflect on the reasons why Americans recognize this day for our fallen heroes. Continue reading “Pausing For A Moment On Memorial Day 2022”
Taking a moment to remember why we celebrate this day as a nation.
It’s not “National BBQ Day,” you know.
Think of those we’ve lost who stood up for, and made possible, our freedoms and liberty here in the U.S.
A few facts about Memorial Day:
• Originally known as Decoration Day, the observance began in the years following the Civil War honoring those who fell during that conflict.
• During World War I, the tradition expanded into a day of remembering all men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
• In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as a federal holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. The law went into effect in 1971.
• Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.
• Memorial Day typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
• Memorial Day has a different focus than Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering those who perished while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
• The average age of fallen U.S. soldiers is 26½.
The New York Times reports that Arlington National Cemetery is running out of room and may need to consider new rules that may turn away eligible soldiers.
Wishing everyone a great holiday weekend, and I hope that folks take some time out to remember why we celebrate this day as a nation.
It’s not “National BBQ Day,” you know.
Think of those we’ve lost who stood up for, and made possible, our freedoms and liberty here in the U.S.
A few facts about Memorial Day:
• Originally known as Decoration Day, the observance began in the years following the Civil War honoring those who fell during that conflict.
• During World War I, the tradition expanded into a day of remembering all men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
• In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as a federal holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. The law went into effect in 1971.
• Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.
• Memorial Day typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
• Memorial Day has a different focus than Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering those who perished while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
• The average age of fallen U.S. soldiers is 26½.
The New York Times reports that Arlington National Cemetery is running out of room and may need to consider new rules that may turn away eligible soldiers.
Tony Award-winner Kelli O’HaraJoin Tony Award-winner Kelli O’Hara for this fourth Memorial For Us All tribute from Lincoln Center, singing works by Sondheim, McLean, and more to honor those we’ve lost.
From Lincoln Center: We offer #MemorialForUsAll to provide unity, comfort, and healing. This Memorial Day weekend, as we honor those who have left us too soon during this pandemic, we also extend our debt of gratitude to those who have lost their lives in service.
I was lucky to work with Kelli in the 2001 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s FOLLIES. She was as exquisite then as she is today.
Three songs, beautifully performed.
Wishing everyone a great holiday weekend, and I hope that folks take some time out to remember why we celebrate this day as a nation.
It’s not “National BBQ Day” you know.
Think of those we’ve lost who stood up for, and made possible, our freedoms and liberty here in the U.S.
A few facts about Memorial Day:
• Memorial Day is a federal holiday that occurs every year on the last Monday of May.
• Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, formerly known as Decoration Day.
• Memorial Day typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
• Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
The average age of fallen U.S. soldiers is 26½.
The New York Times reports that Arlington National Cemetery is running out of room and may need to consider new rules that may turn away eligible soldiers.
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| Michael (L) with the fab Mariah Carey and me (R) |
I originally posted this in 2015, but as I thinking about Memorial Days past, this was one for the books:
So picture this: I’m laying on the couch having just taken a Vicodin for the tooth ache that simply will not go away.
(Regular readers know I’ve had not the best week with a tooth ache that wouldn’t quit and since it was a long holiday weekend my dentist’s office was closed. So I was medicating as best I could LOL.)
Hubby Michael comes in and asks “How are you??” As the pain meds are kicking in I stay positive and say “I’m ok.” I’m not really, but I’m going for the “think positive” thing here.
He repeats, “No, how ARE you? We just got invited to an impromptu Memorial Day BBQ at Mariah Carey’s house. Olivia Newton-John and Tyson Beckford are going too. Can you make it?”
At this point I”m pretty sure my hearing is on the fritz, too, as I thought I heard him say we’re invited to Mariah Carey’s house for a party???
And yes, that is what happened.
Thankfully, Vicodin isn’t the strongest thing in the world.
You don’t pass up an invite like this. I get up, shower, put my best “casual chic/going to Mariah Carey’s house” kind of outfit and off we go.
I’d never met Mariah but she was a doll. She and Tyson are old friends; and she and Olivia have sung together before.
I had a great time, was uber-impressed with the gorgeous house she’s renting during her Vegas residency at Caesars Colosseum. Of course, like every party, we all congregated in the outdoor kitchen, chatting and eating burgers. You know, your every day “I’m at a party with international superstars each in their own right” kind of party.
Very cool way to end Tyson’s headlining gig with the Chippendales as he was selling out just about every night. Olivia is now back in town at the Flamingo Las Vegas as her residency resumes. And we’ll be seeing Mariah back at Caesars Colosseum in July.
When I wake up from my Vicodin induced sleep, I’m going to have the best dream to tell Michael.
Check the pics of shiny happy people below.
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| (L-R) Kristen Makhathini, Mariah Carey, Tyson Beckford, Olivia Newton-John & Michael Caprio I was clearly doing a bar run for the group at this time 🙂 |
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| MIchael, Mariah, Olivia and me |
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Reunited in Vegas! Love you Olivia Newton John!! #HopelesslyDevotedToYou
Posted by Mariah Carey on Monday, May 25, 2015
Via Think Progress:
According to Professor David Blight of Yale University, the first Memorial Day took place on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC, after a group of African-Americans, mostly former slaves, gave 257 Union soldiers a proper burial.
The black community in Charleston then consecrated the new cemetery with “an unforgettable parade of 10,000 people,” led by 3,000 black school children.
It was initially called “Decoration Day.”
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| Donald Trump |
On this Memorial Day, as millions of Americans remember those military service members who’ve fallen to defend our freedoms, Donald Trump took to Twitter to celebrate… himself!
“Happy Memorial Day! Those who died for our great country would be very happy and proud at how well our country is doing today. Best economy in decades, lowest unemployment numbers for Blacks and Hispanics EVER (& women in 18years), rebuilding our Military and so much more. Nice!”
Economy? Do you really think a WWII veteran would rise from the grave to day and ask “How’s the Dow doing?”
#smh
Happy Memorial Day! Those who died for our great country would be very happy and proud at how well our country is doing today. Best economy in decades, lowest unemployment numbers for Blacks and Hispanics EVER (& women in 18years), rebuilding our Military and so much more. Nice!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2018
The Twitterverse took note:
A shame watching 5-Deferment @realDonaldTrump transform Decoration Day into Desecration Day. He can’t comprehend a day that’s not all about the glorification of himself. pic.twitter.com/07ziebrFq4— Col. Morris Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) May 28, 2018
and this was his tweet to the nation's Veterans this morning. We cannot let this stand #MemorialDay @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/NrEN1HQFIm— Christine Miles 🌄 (@mickeefynn) May 28, 2018
As a Gold Star Widow I take great offense to you saying “ Happy Memorial Day”. My children and I have spent the day grieving for my late husband. Also, why mention the economy in this tweet?— Amanda (@Amanda9142910) May 28, 2018
Many people question this president, but it’s no small achievement to write the grossest, most inappropriate, most self-flattering Memorial Day message in the history of the US presidency https://t.co/t8JN7JNwdg— David Frum (@davidfrum) May 28, 2018
#CadetBoneSpurs sure puts the ME in Memorial Day.— Karen (@NoReGretsky) May 28, 2018
And, in case you were wondering, this is how a president addresses Memorial Day properly:
We can never truly repay the debt we owe our fallen heroes. But we can remember them, honor their sacrifice, and affirm in our own lives those enduring ideals of justice, equality, and opportunity for which generations of Americans have given that last full measure of devotion. pic.twitter.com/pRxwmaMClL— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 28, 2018
This Memorial Day, I hope you’ll join me in acts of remembrance. The debt we owe our fallen heroes is one we can never truly repay.— President Obama (@POTUS44) May 30, 2016
Check out comedian Peter Sarafinowicz’s hysterical voicing of Donald Trump singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” during the solemn opening ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day.
Trump seems to have had a rollicking good time, huh?