Each one has to find his peace from within.
And peace to be real must be unaffected by
outside circumstances.
[Mahatma Gandhi]
1968
Memorial Day has its origins with the American Civil War. Each generation, in the intervening 150 years, has had its own war, and has had to seek its own peace. For me, peace is the operative word.
I study a lot of history, especially about the growth and development of the United States. Most of those histories are about one war or another. I have gleaned the opinion that wars are caused by arrogance, greed, tunnel vision/bigotry and just plain meanness. I abhor war. I’m also not too keen about the people who rush headlong into war.
On Memorial Day, I honor not only the people we have lost because of war, but also the people we have found. The photo above shows my best Navy buddy.
Knitting, writing and other joys 
I forgot that it used to be called Decoration Day. I celebrated with a friend. We had hotdogs on the grill, baked beans, macaroni salad, and smores. I remember always getting together with the relatives of Memorial Day. I didnt know that it went back as far as the Civil War. Katherine you have such a wealth of information.
By the way I am now reading O Pioneers. You are so right about Cather being a good writer.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that picture of you and Michael. It is so good. I always think of Uncle Roy and your Aunt Esther on Memorial Day and also think of it as Decoration Day when we all went to the cemetery to decorate the graves and visit with relatives, learn the history of the ones gone and have a big pot luck lunch.
Sorry,
I just saw the date at the bottom of the picture. Its a picture of you. Who is your Navy buddy?
Now i want to see a picture of your Mom and Dad.
I love the picture. Im guessing the couple in the picture are your mom and dad. You really look like your mom. I too abhor war and cant believe we still have them. I watched a special last night on PBS. They showed some pretty grusome war photos. I was shock to see them on TV. Im all for peace.
Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Peace.
Katherine,
Lovely reminder of what Memorial Day is all about and lovely personal story and picture. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Kathy