Memorial Day, 2009
I've been a little busy but am finally getting to post the pictures from Memorial Day weekend. Patriotic holidays are always special but Washington is the scene of a gathering I've come to appreciate more and more - the "Rolling Thunder Review". Thousands (literally) of motorcyclists gather in the Pentagon parking lot, then make their way to the Vietnam Wall. All weekend long large groups of "bikers" can be seen on the nearby roads. Catherine snapped one member of such a group. I love their patriotism.
One of the bikers we saw on Memorial Day
An awful lot of them have both American and POW/MIA flags on their bikes. It strikes me as very patriotic. They are taking the time to remember, which was the original purpose of what used to be "Decoration Day."I still find the words of "General Order No. 11" from 1868 ( Washington D.C., 5 May, 1868, Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, by General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief) very moving:
One of the bikers we saw on Memorial Day
An awful lot of them have both American and POW/MIA flags on their bikes. It strikes me as very patriotic. They are taking the time to remember, which was the original purpose of what used to be "Decoration Day."I still find the words of "General Order No. 11" from 1868 ( Washington D.C., 5 May, 1868, Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, by General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief) very moving:
If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the
solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of
life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains
and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest
flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they
saved from his honor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges
to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge
upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
Alan -- Thanks for the reminder and for the wonderful quote. I love the energy that Rolling Thunder brings to our area along with the emphasis on patriotism. Ron <
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William Gladstone Said
"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will show you with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people,their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals."
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