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May 27, 2005
Memorial Day
This Monday, many of us will take to out backyards and porches to grill, visit with friends and family, or just observe the day as another holiday with which to relax. Let us not forget what Memorial Day is for, the remembrance of those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. These men were just like most of the men we know today...fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, holding regular jobs, mowing their lawns, playing ball with their children, reading books to them before bed, loving their wives and families, and just generally living life. These men, each of them, contributed to our being able to live our lives at the level of freedom we all enjoy. They deserve to be remembered. Please take some time on Monday to visit a cemetary if at all possible. Take some flowers and lay them on the grave of someone that cared enough to answer his call to duty when he received it. Then look around and remember that you stand there with your family in part to this man(or men)'s contribution.
Here is a copy of the original General Order that enacted Memorial Day activities officially:
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
Washington D.C. May 5, 1868
General Orders No. 11
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or other decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way, arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and to assist those whom they have left among us as a sacred charge upon the Nation’s gratitude – the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
Department Commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective. By Command of:
N.P. Chipman
John A. Logan
Adjutant General
Commander-in-Chief
Posted by james at 11:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 26, 2005
Utlrasound
Medical technology is amazing. We had the ultrasound yesterday and the baby was cooperative. From all that we could see(coupled with the way Candice feels compared to her other pregnancies) it appears that Marsalis baby #5 is a boy! The kids were there with us and they were really excited about it. Jane Beth wanted a baby sister(we wanted one for her as well) but she was still very excited. She said, "I prayed and prayed for a baby sister. Oh well, I guess God knew we needed another baby boy."
Too cute.
Posted by james at 09:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 20, 2005
Set phasers for kill...
Thanks to Ron Ott for despamming my blog. I'm amazed...he sent me the explanation of what he did...it was so simple, I just didn't know where to type those stinking characters. It's amazing how much I don't know. So, spammers...I told you not to make me get technical with you. See what happens? Huh? Yeah, I brought in my bodyguard....blogguard...something like that. Hear that? That's Ron coming for you! I hope it keeps you awake at night...
Yeah.
I wonder if he is good with the air conditioner on a 92 Chevy Astro....
Posted by james at 10:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 18, 2005
Fill 'er up
Yesterday, I'm digging around in the van for a couple of bucks to put some gas in the van when my oldest hands my a $5 bill and says, "Here dad, go ahead and fill up the tank".
It really is the thought that counts where your kids are concerned.
Posted by james at 11:25 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 17, 2005
Busy, busy, busy
Lately, my schedule has been: get up, go to work(or mow and then go to work), mow after work and/or look at yards to bid for mowing, go home, work at neighbor's houses doing cleanup, landscaping, mowing, weeding...that sort of thing. Anyway, all of this has made blogging fall to the bottom of the list. I don't know that anyone really misses it or not, but I enjoy it, so I miss it, so I hope to get a post in here every now and then starting this week.
Okay, back to work.
Posted by james at 10:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Out, out Damn Spammers
All righty boys, I'm not interested in gambling. Stay off my blog. Don't make me get all technical on you.
Posted by james at 09:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 01, 2005
Where do I begin?
Anyone reading this probably knows by know that I'm not a die-hard blogger. I write when the urge strikes me and when I find the time, which isn't usually that often. Well, over the past 5 or 6 days I had a wealth of things to blog about, but no computer and no time. Here's the outline:
Dropped kids at parents house
Went to Kenny Chesney concert
Stayed at French Quarter Courtyard
Went to Cafe DuMonde(had beignets and coffee, of course)
Spent money at French Market
Ate out every meal except breakfast
Stayed at Bayou St John Bed and Breakfast
Met PGA tour player and tour employee
Picked up 4 day passes to Zurich Classic in New Orleans
Went to tournament Thursday and Friday
Went back Sunday after church with my 2 older boys
I must go to bed because I'm getting up to do lawns before work, but I'll attack these subjects beginning tomorrow.
I know you can't wait.
Posted by james at 11:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack