I didn’t march today. But I did remember

Fifty years ago today I marched in the Elizabeth Pennsylvania Memorial Day Parade. It was a family tradition for a number of years and in 1972 it would be my last one as a civilian. I had already joined the Navy in the delayed entry program and would leave a few weeks later. I remember […]

A day to remember

I am old enough to remember when Memorial Day was held on the 30th of May. When I was a kid, the ceremonies were large and very well attended. There was always a competition between communities to see who would have the lager parade or the more elaborate service. There were always men in uniforms […]

“My child is a submariner… I’ll sleep when they come home”

I will never forget that day in June 1972 when my parents came to Pittsburgh International Airport to see me off on my way to Boot Camp. I was not the first in my family to leave home (big brother went to a nearby college three years earlier) but I was the first to go […]

How to Observe Memorial Day

Sometimes I weep for my country… then I vow to fight on

Like many others, I spend a lot of personal time and resources preparing for the Memorial Day observance in my home town. It is not a celebration since the day was designed to decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. It is not a party because the honorees made […]

(There’s) Always something there to remind me…

“I walk along the city streets You used to walk along with me, And every step I take reminds me Of just how we used to be. Oh, how can I forget you, girl When there is always something there to remind me Always something there to remind me” The Sunday after Easter is always […]