A Small Town Fourth of July

The neighbor has a bonfire going in his backyard and the wood-smoke is drifting my direction; it smells wonderful. American flags have been put out for display on street light poles, added to porches in the forms of pennants and bunting, and soon will be in the hands of gatherers coming to watch local parades and catch candy. Planners are putting last minute touches on firework displays, community parties and ensuring all of their supplies are in place. The orchestras and bands polishing the cymbals can be heard practicing the last phrases found in the Overture of 1812, the Star Spangled Banner and local alma maters. Across the country, menus for barbeques and watermelon picnics are being shopped for. People will gather to hear the Declaration of Independence read, refreshing the memory of the richly worded document. Sparklers will illuminate faces of many ages, creating a charming glow that reflects in their eyes. Veterans will be honored, as most definitely is their due; and somewhere future veterans will become inspired in the idea of service to their nation. These festive moments can be so special where people gather to celebrate the birth of an idea, especially when it takes on their own local flavor. I do love a small town Independence Day celebration; full of great hearted efforts and determined plans.

Happy birthday America. Your first Independence Day celebrations consisted of reading of the Declaration of Independence, a toast and a cannon salute to mark the start of a new idea. As we approach our next Fourth of July, let us continue to examine what our freedoms mean, to offer a heartfelt thank you to those who have served, and taking time to break bread with our neighbors - kick back and watch the fireworks. 

In Remembrance to Bring Healing

Decoration Day, the forerunner of Memorial Day, started just a few short years after the finish of the Civil War. In a time when our country was bloodied and bruised from collective wounds, families of many and few across the nation needed profound healing. Just as the arrival of spring days brought new flowers, new growth and life after winter’s silent garden, time was starting to bring healing to wounds.

There was a need to start to repair the fractures of the country, to comfort the mourners and remember together the brother soldiers on both sides of the war. Coming together in what is now Arlington Cemetery, this “silent assembly of the dead” - of Union and Confederate soldiers alike, were recognized for their sacrifice by the decorating of the graves.

I remember Memorial Days fondly on road trips with my mom; leaving home, heading to Ohio and then into the hills of Kentucky. If we got into Kentucky late enough, I knew that we would see a thousand fireflies dancing down the hillsides. Driving on (really fun) twisty, turny roads we would arrive at the family cemeteries. Walking sticks, trash bags, song books and new flowers for decorating graves in hand – we would head up the hill to where the moss is inches thick and cushions our footfalls. Graves are cleaned from old flowers, and newly decorated. Stories are shared. Someone opens a songbook and starts us up. Soon notes to tunes like Sweet Bye and Bye and Amazing Grace are drifting among the trees, slowly flowing down the hills to the bottom. They mingle with bird song, crickets, and the ever present buzz of bees. Laughter and tears mingle as we remember those we have loved.

Yesterday, I had the honor of witnessing a service to commemorate veterans of foreign wars. In that cemetery, flag filled and flower draped, taps was heard. As I walked through the cemetery and saw headstones reflecting many veterans of service, I wished I could thank them for their sacrifice. But, they are gone and my words wouldn’t carry to them. Instead, I started to think about helping our nations’ own fractures from war. I hoped that the sincere gratitude of those present would be a balm through the pain of remembering. Just as the act of recognizing the loss of Union and Confederate soldiers was a start for healing for the survivors, I hope the acts and words of thank you are even a small source of comfort for our own living veterans and their families.

Thank you. 

November Dates

This month is full of important dates, with Election Day passed, Veterans Day today, and Thanksgiving still to come. It’s really rather appropriate that Election Day and Veterans Day would fall so closely together. The ability to raise a voice is something that is not guaranteed world around. Voting that reflects changes of people in power, well surely you didn’t see the tanks rolling down the streets or barricades around blocks. No? Neither did I. It is easy for us to take this for granted, but it really should be recognized and celebrated.

This day was awaited with a flurry of final combat missions, hope, doubt and celebrations around the world. A change was coming on November 11 at 11 AM – the armistice in 1918 was made active. People took the idea of peace and started the hard work of rebuilding. There was rebuilding on all sides, structures in war torn areas, infrastructure, people to feed, and supplies to be gathered before winter hit in full force. There was also rebuilding slowly in the parts of families of veterans as they welcomed home loved ones. Time had not stood still for the veterans or their families. The changes that they would all have to adjust to were profound.

This war to end all wars was not the last. World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Bay of Pigs, Grenada Intervention, Persian Gulf War, Bosnia & Herzegovina Intervention, Afghanistan, Iraq – these places since that Armistice was signed are all reflections of where people have left their families and homes, traveled elsewhere in the name of peace.

To all of those who have served, to all of those families who have waited at home, to all who have returned home and to those who never will – thank you. Happy Veterans Day. 

Granny

   Veterans Day was yesterday, a day set aside to remember our veterans, those who have served in both peace and war time. So, let me start by a saying a big thank you to all of those who have served. Not only those in uniform, but the support in the offices, the support in the homes, and the support of the families; thank you for your sacrifice, your work, your effort.


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   She always smelled like White Linen, walked miles nearly everyday, and had both candy and wisdom for each visitor. A conversation sparked a memory of Granny, the name that everyone used for my great-grandmother. With her pearly white hair, quick wit, and deep family love, the combination of many years of life lessons, sorrows, and triumphs made her into a source of strength within the family.

   What made her from just another wonderfully loved grandmother into Granny, the matriarch with guidance and wisdom for her family? What changed her from the woman who liked to walk in the woods and watch football while taking little naps to the woman who survived when she wanted to give up?
   I think part of it was a decision to continue on during a difficult time. There were some extremely difficult situations, times when I’m sure she just wanted to give up. But, she didn’t and that I think is where the crucible was turning the raw materials into something tempered and extremely strong. Persisting in life, in times when it would have been much easier to pull the blankets over her head and refuse to move, she got out of bed and continued on. Instead, she did even more than just survive, she flourished and became a vital and well loved woman of wisdom, lively personality, and a community that loved her.
   I miss Granny, I miss the smell of white linen and her laugh. But, I thank her for the lessons she left.

Service

   A tour of Washington DC has been arranged for many of our local World War II veterans. They have a rousing start to the trip, drive through the streets of town being cheered for, and eventually travel on to Washington DC to meet others and travel to different sites. Yesterday, the tour started, and I was one of several standing on a street corner waving and cheering.

   I love how these men and women are being remembered for their service. The war is long over, something of which I am grateful. But, it is important to remember the service of those who have sacrificed their time, energy, and lives for us. Thank you for serving.