Memorial Day

 Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day until 1966, when the late President Lyndon Johnson changed the name on the anniversary of its beginning back on May 30th, 1866. A day to show respect to the fallen soldiers of the Union Army in the Civil War.

Today we still celebrate our service men and women. It is the recognize their sacrifice for our freedom in the United States, but also for other countries. Yes, some died for and in other countries to help them fight for freedom too. Percentage wise, there are more veterans buried in France than on American soil. But the French people honor them as well, along with their own.

Before the name change, many people thought of the holiday as a day you honor everyone deceased. I remember, as a child, taking flowers to my relative's grave sites and remembering things I recalled about them. I believe some of my relatives still do. Which is not a bad thing, but it shows they are not forgotten and treasure their lives and love for them.

As a veteran myself, this day means a lot to me. While serving in foreign countries, I saw their citizens decorating WWII American graves and honoring them with music, salutes, and tears. This goes on in many countries all over the world. Believe it or not, many countries appreciate the sacrifice we have made to help them keep the peace and freedom in the world. There are a few countries believe we should not be there, and keep our noses out of their business. Of course, that maybe true in some cases.

The total point of the day we have tomorrow is to honor the service people that lost their lives serving our country, in an effort to keep us ALL free and without repression. 

Many people fly the stars and stripes only on Memorial Day to show their support. I fly the flag 24-7-365 to show my pride and support all year long. My believe is when you are an American, natural or by immigration, you should always support the country and always show your respect for the ones who fought for us, and died. You may not support the government policies, but support those who wear the uniform.

I have a strong heritage of ancestors who served in the american military starting with my 4 or 5 times Great grandfather Arnold Schell (Shell) who fought for our country's liberation from the British, and up to myself. He immigrated from Europe as a child in 1750. Since then, every male in the Shell family, with the exception of one, served in the military. Nancy's father also served, as did many of cousins.

So while many will celebrate this three day weekend by going to a lake or river, grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and eating watermelon and corn on the cob or having a cold one. Many cemeteries will have hundreds of small flags planted on the graves of vets honoring their service and sacrifice. I, my family and a few friends, will be joining the crowd by grilling, maybe play some 'Corn Hole', and even a cold one, but still thinking about the ones before us who served this country for freedom and liberty. 

Take care, stay safe, and take a moment to remember them.

  

Happy Mother's Day

A day for Mom. Maybe we should have more of these days for mothers, since they play such an important part in our lives. A lot of people praise their mothers for all the strength and fortitude they had raising children, sometime alone without a husband's help. Many talk about the mothers who did without to give to their children, whether it be food, clothing and/or a home.

I want to tell you a little bit about one of those mothers, who raised her only child on very little income, and always with a smile and kind touch. This mother married and medically discharged Navy sailor right after WW2. A man from Kentucky and this lady from Alabama were not unlike most people of that era, not much education, but willing to work hard to get their feet rooted and begin their family. A child was born almost immediately and they found a small apartment in a low income housing development. From there they gained money for the essentials and moved to an upstairs attic apartment in a growing neighborhood. The child grew strong and started school a few blocks away. He thought he had the best childhood ever. But the father had wandering eyes and eventually the parents split. 

The mother, never wanting to let the child see her pain and go through the divorce process, so she sent the child to live with her parents on a farm in Alabama. Phone calls and letters were few and far between due to the lack of money the mother had. after nearly a year, the child was sent for by the mother to return to her. It was a joyous reunion, but with an understanding that funds were slim, the child had to be strong because he would be on his own while the mother worked in a low paying job, an elevator operator in an upscale department store in downtown Cincinnati.

The mother moved them from one apartment to another apartment for several years, trying to get them in a better neighborhood at a price she could afford. Sometimes living there for only a month or two. The child suffered by going to 5 different schools in one year. The mother did what she could, but assisting with the child's school homework was not her thing, only having an 8th grade education herself. 

The mother continued to tell the child things will get better and they would get out of the low income apartments and into a better neighborhood. Of course the child believed his loving mother, except he knew that would not happen until a hardworking man came into the picture.

Now, this the same scenario we hear about from many single divorced mothers struggling from day to day, making the best out of nothing mainly for the kids. That is what mothers do. It is a motherly instinct to take care of the children before yourself. Right? If there holes in the kids socks, you sew the holes up. If their very little food, the mother eats less so the kids can have more. You do what you can to make the ends meet. It is built into mothers, and most fathers, if the are the main parent.

Mother's day is a little sad for me because mother has been gone for several years. I miss the phone calls to tell her how much I love her and wish her Happy Mother's day or birthday. She was alway caring and loving to me. Sometime too much for me (as tears come to my eyes).

I regret the few times I spoke too harsh to her as I grew up and finally understood what parenthood was really like. My mother had very few skills or education, but she was rich with love, caring, and more love. Plus, she was a GREAT cook. In her final years, she took a job cooking for the prisoners at her local jail, and the prisoner called he "MOM".

My mother finally found a good man to marry and they lived their later years into retirement, happily in Alabama.

And you probably guessed it, the story is about my mother and me. A hero in my mind and a very loving mother. I miss you Mom. Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers for all you give up for your children and all those kisses you embarrass us with in front of our friends as kids.

And to all the mother that no longer with us, you will NEVER forgotten and we will ALWAYS be loved.

                                                            My late mother at 81.