These Old Walkin' Shoes: The Cemetery Angels

The Monday of Memorial Day weekend, Wendy and I took the girls out for the day. We thought we’d give them a chance to visit with their great-grandparents, and take some time out of our busy lives to visit the cemeteries where various family members are buried. It just seemed like the right thing to do at the right time.

My Imperfect Plot: The Planting

My dad always said “You want to have your plant in by Memorial Day.”

When we were kids, Dad took advantage of whatever good weather we had throughout the month of May to get the ground worked up, trying not to get the tractor stuck.  He even occasionally got his plants a week or so ahead of time.  But for the most part, Memorial Day Weekend was Planting Weekend.   And so, it continues.

Thinking Out Loud: What the Heck is Going On?

If my grandfather were alive today, he would have recently celebrated his 96th birthday. This is the same grandfather I have a picture of in my home office. In it, I'm just a few weeks old, and he's just a few weeks from leaving us. It's truly a touching shot.

EDITORIAL: USSS Wrong in Protest

It is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is a federal holiday set aside to honor those who have fallen in service of our country. It has its origins in the aftermath of the Civil War, in 1868 in Decatur, Illinois by Union Army veterans who wanted to decorate the graves of their fallen brothers in arms. Initially known as Decoration Day, it became Memorial Day officially in 1967. It is typically a time to reflect on those lives lost.

Old Fort Niagara: Soldiers Through the Ages Event

Old Fort Niagara’s interpretive staff and volunteers and re-enacting units throughout the region will come together over Memorial Day weekend, May 27 and 28, to present “Soldiers through the Ages” at the historic landmark in Youngstown. This military timeline event traces the history of Fort Niagara from the early explorers of the 17th century through the mid-20th century. The event features special exhibits, camps, weapons and battle-tactic demonstrations.

REMINISCING: Memorial Day in Washington DC

This week’s column is dedicated to the men and women of our nation’s military who never came home. As we “celebrate” the start of summer this Memorial Day, let’s keep those people and their families in our thoughts.