Thoughts on a Quiet Morning
Memorial Day may come but once a year, but the sadness of loss of those who sacrificed in the wars and battles of this nation lingers. A short ride into town provided some quiet space to think about how the difficult history of the day is often forgotten as the holiday becomes consumed with celebration and distraction.
Remembering
I often walk the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Frequently I’ll find myself staring at one of the plaques or monuments trying to imagine what it must have been like for those who took part in so many wars. The list of Civil War campaigns have a special energy because I’ve read so much about them.
Boalsburg: Birthplace of Memorial Day
In 1864 three local women began placing flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers in the small cemetery here. Boalsburg claims to have started the tradition of remembrance though the federal government recognized Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Doesn’t really matter who started things as much as who’s remembering.
History in the Boalsburg Cemetery
Veterans of the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and practically all other conflicts have been laid to rest here. It’s not lost on me that much of what I have and can do today is a result of the sacrifices they made.
A Place of History
My father said little of his experience in the United States Army. Most of what I know I learned in books and movies. Or at this museum.
Monuments to the 28th Infantry Division
The 28th Infantry Division is part of the Army National Guard and is the oldest division-sized unit in the armed forces of the United States.Some of the units of the division can trace their lineage to Benjamin Franklin’s battalion. The division was officially established in 1879 and was later redesignated as the 28th Division in 1917, after the entry of America into the First World War. Today it’s part of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Maryland Army National Guard, Ohio Army National Guard, and New Jersey Army National Guard.
This recent monument to those who died in Iraq and Afghanistan reflects the ongoing engagements.
75 Years Ago
It’s easy to forget, ignore or also myself to be distracted from the idea behind Memorial Day. It’s not just another holiday to enjoy. It was established with good reason. Looking at the faces of the young men marching through Paris, I’m reminded of what they gave.
Then and now. To those who have come before, and those men and women serving right now, you have my gratitude and that of our nation.
Happy Memorial Day.
Good to read a new entry from you after a spell. This is a holiday I think of in these terms as well along with a wish that more people think about the fact that WW I was originally referred to as the Great War, I e. the War to End All Wars. That was the hope; we still haven’t managed that.
Hard to imagine a world without war. I have hope though.
A lot of festivities here today including an Antique Car show, arts festival, fireman’s carnival and generally festive activities. Not sure that was the original intent of Memorial Day but that’s what it has become. And that’s ok I guess. Really only takes a moment to remember those who are gone.
Thanks for that reminder Steve.
Hope this message finds you well and sheltered from the heat in Arizona.
I echo Paul. Thank you, Steve, for posting such a respectful reminder to us recognizing, especially today, all those to paid the ultimate sacrifice so we may have freedom.
Thank you for the kind words Floyd. We have much to be grateful for today.
Thanks Steve. Too few seem to have a grasp of 20th century history and the sacrifices made to put a stop to murderous regimes.
Pause too long in an exploration of history and it becomes frightening to think we’ve made it this far. Have been reading Jill Lepore’s book, “These Truths.” A dazzling, and often disturbing, account of the history of the United States. A dense read yet completely engaging. History is a far cry from the simple memes that pass for knowledge, truth and understanding today.
Thank you
Thanks for reading.
best,
steve
Thank you Steve for the reminder that today is far more than store sales and cookouts.
As I write this, I am sitting in the shade of my backyard. That I am free to do so, is due to so many who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We are fortunate. There are many around the world who cannot imagine the freedom we have.
Thank you Steve. I wish the media would use the word “commemorate” and not “celebrate” when discussing these days. Lovely sad and peaceful scenes.
Those two words are markedly different. I agree that commemorate is more reflective of the spirit of the day.
My Father, a WWII Vet passed away last week. At his burial at the cemetery representatives from the US Navy performed the flag folding ceremony and presented it to my Mom. It will rest in a triangle case and get passed down through the descendants. It made our day.
I’m sorry for the loss of your father Jim. Few WWII vets left now.
I have the flag that was presented to our family at my father’s burial along with the empty shell casings from a 21 gun salute. Aside from photos of my father in the war, I don’t know a lot about his experiences. And those I do are of the more comic variety. I wish I would have asked more while he was still alive.
I don’t remember ever hearing my father mention anything about the time he served during the Korean War.
I think that’s pretty common. Not sure why. I know a few people who served more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan and they never mention anything about their service.
I think its not uncommon that the ones who saw the most say the least.
It certainly seems that way.
Another good remembrance of the day is to watch the Medal of Honor series on Netflix. Well done series for several honorees from WWII to Afganastan.
Thanks for the head’s up on the Netflix series. I’ll check it out.
Thank you Steve for another thought provoking post.
I am from a line of military men – Dad (Harry) went into the Normandy beaches with the Royal Marines 4 days after D-Day and ended up staying in Germany for 9 years to help with the reconstruction there.
Grandad (Ernest) went to France in September 1915 with the 50th Division Infantry and miraculously lasted out the war. He was physically pretty much unscathed but family tell us he was mentally scarred for the rest of his life.
I ended up in Iraq in 2003 as a Nursing Officer in a Field Hospital after joining the reserves a few years before never thinking that would be a likely end point. I left the reserves soon after and am now a firm pacifist. Unfortunately I don’t see wars or their like ending any time soon.
Go well
Ken
Thanks for sharing the story of your experience, and that of your family’s military experiences. It’s too easy for the actions and sacrifices of individuals to fade into some sort of sanitized history that seems to make war less awful. Or perhaps more tolerable.
I would like to believe that someday we’ll get to a place where war is unthinkable. But like you, we’re no where near that point now.
Nice remembrance. I not infrequently rail at all the sales ads, etc on what was supposed to be a somber day.
BTW, finally read David Horwitz’s Confederates in the Attic. Entertaining read as well as some interesting tidbits.
There are few somber days anymore save for those we make ourselves. I suppose we can turn a blind eye to what the rest of the world is doing on holidays and celebrate in our own way.
Thanks for the head’s up on Confederates in the Attic. Read a review — sounds like a fine read. When I read “David Horowitz” in your message I was perplexed at what he would be writing. Realized that the author was Pulitzer Prize winning writer Tony Horowitz — a very different person. Not sure I can take a big gulp of gloom and doom from David Horowitz right now.