A patriotic show

Belvedere Hotel, Charleston, SC   

I am a day late but loved this picture of the giant flag draped over the porch. The gorgeous building is the Belvedere Hotel on Rutledge Avenue right across from Colonial Lake. The other flags are from the annual Memorial Day tribute on Lockwood Ave. It is a sight to see along the waterfront. 

I have NOT had a relaxing evening after searching for the source of a dripping noise inside my house. Boo hiss. The drip pan from my air-conditioning unit in the attic had overflowed and was dripping through the ceiling. Climbing around hot attics is not my idea of fun. Blah. Charles, my loyal heat and air repairman from Carolina Climate Masters responded to my plea for help and although I still have a wet ceiling I do have air-conditioning again. 

Patriotic display on Lockwood Blvd.

Memorial Day 2015, Lockwood Blvd., Charleston SC 

Thanks to the Evening Exchange Club for this annual patriotic display of flags on Memorial Day. I'd like to think a perfect day like this was what soldiers had in mind that felt worth fighting and giving up their lives for. Let's treasure, honor and protect it in their memory.

My mother was in the Royal Canadian Air Force stationed in London during World War II and her brothers, my uncles, were both pilots. My family was fortunate and they all came back alive. My mother's role was to gather information on lost and injured soldiers to notify families of their loss. I can't even imagine what a heartbreaking job that must have been and the gift those soldiers gave that we might enjoy days like this.

In memory of those who didn't

She Returns From War, King St., Charleston, S.C.

"Let us never forget their service and always be worthy of the sacrifices made in our name."

President Obama

Memorial Day History

Charleston, S.C. 1865

I couldn't resist passing on this wonderful photograph and bit of history that was being shared on Facebook. I have never seen this picture before. 

"According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first Memorial Day was observed by formerly enslaved black people at the Washington Race Course (today the location of Hampton Park) in Charleston, South Carolina. The race course had been used as a temporary Confederate prison camp in 1865 as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died there. Immediately after the cessation of hostilities, formerly enslaved people exhumed the bodies from the mass grave and reinterred them properly with individual graves. They built a fence around the graveyard with an entry arch and declared it a Union graveyard. The work was completed in only ten days. On May 1, 1865, the Charleston newspaper reported that a crowd of up to ten thousand, mainly black residents, including 2,800 children, proceeded to the location for a celebration which included sermons, singing, and a picnic on the grounds, thereby creating the first Decoration Day."

Edit: I was informed that although the story is historically true the photograph is not from Charleston but a scene in Hampton, Virginia. This link has more information on the beginnings of Memorial Day. 

Memorial Day

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forced. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Memorial Day

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

 The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem.  ~Aaron Kilbourn

Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

Memorial Day

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

This scene was taken a few years ago at Marion Square but worth reposting.

A commenter on Facebook this morning said something that felt very meaningful. He wrote, "I always try to make sure I act in such a way to make those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice proud. No one should lay down their life for me in vain." Amen.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood

I won't forget....

Marion Square (scene from a few years ago), Charleston, S.C.


And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood