Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day 2012...

A Day to Remember, A Day to Give Thanks



Why Do We Celebrate Memorial Day ??
Memorial Day is one of the most important holidays in the U.S. Observed annually every last Monday of May, people usually take some time off from their work and other activities to reflect on the significance of this all-important celebration. To know the reason why we celebrate Memorial Day, it is quite interesting to look at the various significant events in history that made this day very special.






The Significance of Memorial Day
Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? The primary reason why people celebrate this special event is to commemorate the lives of U.S. soldiers and other military personnel who sacrificed their lives and died in honor of their country. Before, people celebrated this event in honor of the casualties of the American Civil War, particularly Union soldiers. Today, the entire country celebrates this event to honor all the Americans who have died while taking part in any kind of military action or war.










People usually visit memorials and cemeteries in observance of this very special day. Every 3 p.m. of this day, the whole country holds a national moment of remembrance. In various parts of the country, people set the U.S. flag at half-staff position for a significant period. Meanwhile, certain individuals and volunteer groups visit national cemeteries in order to reflect and put small American flags on every grave-site.








Aside from remembering the courageous efforts of deceased U.S. soldiers, many people spend this time with their families and friends. Together, they cook and eat barbecues while enjoying the presence of one another. Furthermore, other people hold picnics to celebrate this special day, which is indeed a very worthy cause for national celebration. People also hold national sporting events during this day such as the Indianapolis 500.









At the U.S. Capitol, organizers set the so-called National Memorial Day Concert. This special show is aired on NPR (National Public Radio) and televised over PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). In addition to the special music performances, people commemorate the lives of decreased American soldiers and military personnel. In the past, people celebrated this special holiday every 30th day of May.








Additional Information about Memorial Day
This special day of celebration started in the village of Waterloo in New York. Former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson solidified this fact when he signed a proclamation, which designated it as the birthplace of the holiday. From the usual May 30 observance, the celebration of this holiday was changed to the last Monday of May in order to form a highly convenience three-day weekend each year.

-Whyguides.com







This amazing photo was taken in 1918. It is a photo of 18,000 men preparing for war at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa…
A gift from our grandfathers...




Honor Earned

Here we stand to honor our dead; 
To remember them as these words are read. 
To give that honor that they have earned; 
Is a lesson taught, a lesson learned. 
These men and women who gave their all; 
And answered God’s hallowed call. 
And even though we are apart 
They live on in our minds and heart. 
So, bow your head and let us pray; 
God bless them all on this day. 









" It’s time to strap our boots on



This is a perfect day to die


Wipe the blood out of our eyes


In this life there’s no surrender


There’s nothing left for us to do


Find the strength to see this through


We are the ones who will never be broken


With our final breathe we’ll fight to the death


We are soldiers, we are soldiers.


We Are Soldiers.


I stand here right beside you, tonight we’re fighting for our lives


Let me hear your battle cries


Your battle cries


We are the ones who will never be broken


With our final breathe we’ll fight to the death


We are soldiers, we are soldiers.


We are the ones who will not go unspoken


No we will not sleep we are not cheap


We are soldiers, we are soldiers


We stand shoulder to shoulder


We stand shoulder to shoulder


We stand shoulder to shoulder


You can’t erase us, you’ll just have to face us


We stand shoulder to shoulder


We stand shoulder to shoulder


We stand shoulder shoulder


You can’t erase us you’ll just have to face us


We are the ones who will never be broken


With our final breathe we will fight to the death


We are soldiers


We are soldiers


We are the ones who will not go unspoken


No we will not sleep we are not cheap


We are soldiers, we are soldiers


We are soldiers


We are soldiers



A Soldier's Prayer...
The soldier stood and faced his God Which must always come to pass...
He hoped his shoes were shining Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and Said,"No, Lord, I guess I ain't...
Because those of us who carry guns Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough.
But, I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here...
They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod...
As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now you soldier,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Dedicated To All That Serve...








Thursday, May 24, 2012

Today In Rock History...May 24th...

1962
Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the singles chart with 'Good Luck Charm' his 11th No.1 single.




1963
Elmore James US blues guitarist, singer, died of a heart attack aged 45. Wrote 'Shake Your Money Maker', Covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Known as "The King of the Slide Guitar", James influenced Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Keith Richards.




1963
The Beatles recorded the first of their very own BBC radio program, "Pop Go the Beatles". The theme song for the program was a version of "Pop Goes the Weasel". The Beatles' guests for this first show were the Lorne Gibson Trio.



(Lorne Gibson Trio)
1965
John Lennon publishes his second volume of prose, A Spaniard in the Works, in England.


1966
Captain Beefheart appeared at the Whisky a Go Go. West Hollywood, California. Supported by Buffalo Springfield and The Doors.





 
(the whiskey-a-go-go in 1966)
1968
Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull are arrested on charges of marijuana possession. The same day the Stones release "Jumpin' Jack Flash," generally seen as a comeback record following the flop of Their Satanic 
Majesties Request. It goes to No. 3.





1969
 Bob Dylan scored his fourth No.1 album with 'Nashville Skyline'.



1969
The Beatles with Billy Preston started a five week run at No.1 on the singles chart with 'Get Back', the group's 17th No.1.



(The Beatles with Billy Preston in the recording studio, 1969)
1970
 Peter Green played his last gig with Fleetwood Mac when they appeared at the Bath Festival, Somerset, England.




1971
Bob Dylan's 30th birthday is commemorated with a Peanuts cartoon commenting on the event. Dylan himself spends the day visiting the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.





1974
American composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington, died of lung cancer and pneumonia aged 75. Worked with Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday. Awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966. In 2009 the United States Mint launched a new coin featuring Duke Ellington on the reverse side of the coin.

1975
Earth Wind and Fire went to No.1 on the singles chart with 'Shining Star', the group's first and only No.1.



1980
Genesis fans turning up at the Roxy Club box office in Los Angeles to buy tickets for a forthcoming gig were surprised to find the band members Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford selling the tickets themselves.


1982
The Clash kicked off a 12-date UK tour at Leeds University.




1991
Founding member of The Byrds Gene Clark died of a heart attack aged 49. He Wrote The Byrds hits 'I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better', and 'Eight Miles High', member of McGuinn, Clark and Hillman and solo.


1999
An online audience watches David Bowie write and record the song "What's Really Happening" in a Webcast. The Webcast implements a 360-degree FullView camera. The song turns up on Bowie's hours... album.




2003 
Paul McCartney has tea with Russian premier Vladimir Putin, then plays a show for 20,000 fans in Moscow's Red Square.




2004
Bruce Springsteen's lawyers shut down an online auction of what reports to be the Boss' birth certificate.



2005
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne put the Beverly Hills house that featured in their reality hit The Osbournes up for sale.
-Yeahbabytunes.com