Memorial Day Memories Of Times Past
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2009
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
The origin of Memorial Day is unknown. I have read that many believe it started in many places and different times before it ever became a nationally recognized day. I believe this to be true. It was largely known as "Decoration Day" for many years and was observed primarily for those who had given their lives for their country. It was first recognized officially on May 30, 1868 by a proclamation made by General John Logan earlier that month.
We no longer live near, however we often attend in order to see those whom we have not seen in years and enjoy the fellowship. The graveyard there is the final resting place for my paternal grandparents, my parents, four of my siblings plus many cousins and other relatives. Sometimes the memories can become almost overwhelming when we gather there.
I can recall when I was but a small lad, we lived within 300 yards of this cemetery. My mother and older sister would begin preparing for the event on Friday, to ready the vases and what ever paraphernalia was needed. They had always raised early blooming perennials so as to have ample for bouquets on Decoration Day. I remember most the round bed of arundo donax which had white and green striped leaves and was used in their arrangements. There were practically no professional florists arrangements used over the entire cemetery, rather almost all were home grown and placed into vases or jars with water in them to help prolong the freshness. There were others tied into sprays, etc. Unfortunately, within three days time they were withered and turning brown but they had served their primary purpose.
Many people were buried there who were unidentified and still others whose relatives had moved away, and/or died, so their graves were mostly neglected. However, the community designated the day before decoration as a "work day" and those who were free and physically able came together and cleaned and re-shaped all the graves and the women of the community would make small hand bouquets so that every grave would look nice and at least have a small floral arrangement.
As years continued to pass, more and more people were moving away and the care of the cemetery began to be neglected and burdensome, so the people still living there contacted as many of the relatives of those buried there, requesting donations to form a trust fund which would furnish enough interest to contract a perpetual care. The money was raised and the system sat up. It was not needed to be a full time work so they designated a trusted local man to see that it was cleaned and cared for as needed. It has worked quite well and is a beautiful place for a hill country graveyard.
The west side of this graveyard joins a thick forest of pine trees. It is on top of a hill and the wind is moving almost constantly and those pines sigh, somewhat sadly but to me, more peacefully than sad. My wife and I have plots there and we often go there to look at the peaceful surroundings and listen to the sighing of those pines. We even take sandwiches and have lunch there sometimes. It makes the thoughts of your life's ending to be less stressful to think of being there amidst siblings and parents with the sighing pines, birds singing, and other country sounds in the distance. I am 78 years old. Only two of my immediate family have lived past my present age and they only by a few years. So, I realize that it will not be too long before someone places flowers on my plot. But it no longer seems that bad.
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