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Yesterday’s Memorial Day service had me driving my parents to the American Legion, where our American Legion Post 90 members hold their annual commemorative  ceremonies for the public.

My father is a Korean War veteran, having served from 1950-51 in the U.S. Marine Corp, so this is one of his yearly highlights:  attending our local Memorial Day service and standing for recognition during the program.

Our Marshall Memorial Day ceremony always includes the selling of paper poppies at the entrance, programs which outline the events that will take place (numerous marches played by the city band, posting and retiring the Colors, Pledge of Allegiance by audience members,  introductions by the Legion commander, a main speaker, symbolic toast to those who have fallen, presentation of Quilts of Valor to area veterans, and  gun salute) and a free dinner afterwards served by American Legion / VFW and the lady Auxiliary members.

I tried my best to photograph as many aspects as I could of this special day.  Hope it gives those who have never experienced this a little taste of our American holiday.

Ping An (Peace!)

Many of us decorate our yards with flags. This is my parents’ front lawn, as we are getting ready to drive to the American Legion.

On our drive to the Legion building, we passed many houses, such as ours, with flags out to commemorate the day.

After a few minutes, we arrived at the  American Legion building in my hometown.

Dedication memorial on the American Legion lawn.

Entering the building, we have our greeters, American Legion members getting ready for the ceremony, and the poppy table to pick up your poppies.

I made sure to get programs and also poppies for my parents, already seated. My donation was $5 for the Poppy Program helping our disabled veterans.

In my small town, we always have a good turn-out for Memorial Day.

My father (striped blue shirt) and mother sitting beside him put on their poppies.

The Marshall City Band plays throughout the service, both festive marches and more solemn numbers.

Commander Yeley of Post 90 begins our service.

The Color Guard posts the colors (i.e., brings in the US flag and Legion flag)

The audience faces the US flag and says the Pledge of Allegiance, right hand over your heart.

Those in the military, or who have been in the military, will give the military salute. (Notice our WW 2 vet in the front row is doing this.)

After the speaker, veterans were invited to stand when the band played their military branch anthem. My father stood when the Marine Corp march was played.

Others stood for their recognition serving in the US Army, Airforce and Navy.

The Quilts of Valor, seen here, were made by our local Marshall women and presented to WW 2 veterans for their service to their country.

The first quilt presented to a veteran.

Yet another quilt: “Thank you for your service to our country” followed every presentation.

To close our time together, the color guard retires the Colors (removes the flags) from the auditorium.

Everyone exits outside where we will have the gun salute.

The color guard, getting ready for the gun salute.

3 rounds are fired (line of riflemen in the distance)

Taps (a sleepy, somber melody) is played by a trumpeter and echoed by another trumpeter in honor of the dead.

Those of us present honor the dead, hand over hearts or military salute, until Taps is finished.

All are invited to lunch in the basement of the American Legion. Our American Legion Auxiliary ladies are here to serve you!

The men in the kitchen were busy frying up batches of catfish and chicken for the crowd, along with mashed potatoes.

No one was going home hungry on this day.

That included our young folk as well.

My mom and I were among the well-fed. (My dad went home due to his health issues and we later brought him a take-out container of catfish.)

My neighbors, the Commers, along with many others, decorate their lawns for Memorial Day.

Yesterday, I honored those individuals in the military (past and present) at my hometown’s American Legion post for our Memorial Day services.  Today’s papers are full of articles and photos of others who also celebrated May 30^th as I did.

Before getting to my personal photos of Memorial Day, let me introduce its history to my Chinese readers and others interested.  After researching a bit on the Net, I found out quite a bit of information which I myself wasn’t even aware of.  Read on!

How did Memorial Day get started?

 Three years after America’s Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.  Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

Local Observances of Memorial Day

 Even before the nation’s capital took on this special memorial to fallen soldiers, many local observances throughout the country had already been commemorating those who died in the war.   Decoration Day then took on a new identity, being called by many Memorial Day.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities.

It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May.

What Do We Do on this Day? Memorial Day Services and a 3 p.m. Moment of Silence

To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.

The purpose of this act was to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.

The National Moment of Remembrance urges all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

The Official Flower for Memorial Day: The Poppy

The Poppy, from my mom’s garden

It is a custom on this day for us to wear paper poppies (a poppy is a kind of red flower) to show the sacrifice of service made by our veterans.  These red crepe paper poppies are handmade by veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation. They are distributed across the country in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities.

The poppy, made by our veterans for Memorial Day and Veterans Day

The poppy itself was chosen due to an epic battle at Flanders Fields in Belgium where many men died and were buried during World War I.

After the battle, a Canadian soldier named Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae noticed how quickly red poppies grew over the graves of his friend and other fallen soldiers. That inspired McCrae to write the poem “In Flanders Fields” May of 1915.

McCrae was a soldier, physician and writer. As it turns out, he wasn’t happy with his poem. Legend has it he threw it away and another soldier plucked it out of the trash.

The poem soon began to circulate throughout magazines and newspapers, becoming quite well-known.

In 1918, Moina Michael read the poem and later started a movement to sell red silk poppies as remembrance flowers on Memorial Day. The money raised was donated to veterans in need.

Just before Memorial Day in 1922, the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) became the first veteran’s organization to sell poppies across the United States. Within a couple years, it was called the Buddy Poppy program and ever since then, paper poppies have been made by disabled vets.

Before My Part 2 Entry: The Poem that Immortalized the Poppy in America

In Flanders Fields (originally entitled “We Shall Not Sleep”)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

–Lt. Col. John McCrae

I’ve been in my hometown  for almost a week now after trips to NYC and several church visits in South Carolina. Before those reports, I’ll add something which is appropriate for today, Memorial Day.

I submitted this article to our local Marshall paper which  I’ll share with you now.  In the next few blogs, I’ll tell you all about our American Legion Memorial Day services, which I attended this morning with my parents, and add some of my recent adventures along the East Coast.

A Memorial Day Tribute: “Do not stand by my grave and weep”

Note: Connie Wieck is a Marshall, IL, native who has spent 19 years in China as an employee with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. She works for the Chinese Christian-founded organization, the Amity Foundation, as a language teacher. Connie is placed at small 3-year colleges teaching English to English education majors (i.e., Chinese college students entering the education field to later teach English in the country’s junior and senior high schools.)

It’s been 18 years since I was last in the US for Memorial Day.

As an English language teacher in China, my college school year ends in mid- July rather than mid or late May as in the States. Due to this schedule, I have never been able to return early enough to celebrate this day with other Americans in our country.

But this year, I’ve had a change of plans.   After having work visa difficulties, I spent the year on a student visa, studying Chinese at Sichuan University in Chengdu. I left my spring semester early to return to Illinois where I will be traveling the state, speaking at various churches and giving presentations about China and my work there.   Thus I have the opportunity, for the first time in 18 years, to once again enjoy Memorial Day services in my country and community.

A Memorial Day Message for All

As Memorial Day is upon us, let me share with you one of the most famous poems often read for this special day, as well as about its author and history.

Mary Elizabeth Frye was a Baltimore housewife and florist, best known as the author of the beloved poem “Do not stand at my grave and weep,” written in 1932. She was born Mary Elizabeth Clark, and was orphaned at the age of three. In 1927 she married Claud Frye.

As the story goes (according to my Internet research), Frye  had never written any poetry before, but the plight of a young German Jewish woman, Margaret Schwarzkopf, who was staying with her and her husband, inspired the poem. Margaret Schwarzkopf had been concerned about her mother, who was ill in Germany, but she had been warned not to return home because of increasing anti-Semitic unrest. When her mother died, the heartbroken young woman told Frye that she never had the chance to “stand by my mother’s grave and shed a tear.” Frye found herself composing a piece of verse on a brown paper shopping bag. Later she said the words “just came to her” and expressed what she felt about life and death.

Frye circulated the poem privately, never publishing or copyrighting it. She wrote other poems, but this, her first, endured. Her obituary made it clear that she was the author of the famous poem, which has been recited at funerals and on other appropriate occasions around the world for 60 years.  This claim, however, wasn’t proven until 1998, after an investigation by journalist Abigail Van Buren.

A Poem Spreads Round the World

The poem was introduced to many in the United Kingdom when it was read by the father of a soldier killed by a bomb in Northern Ireland. The soldier’s father read the poem on BBC radio in 1995 in remembrance of his son, who had left the poem among his personal effects in an envelope addressed ‘To all my loved ones’.  Due to this, “Do not stand at my grave and weep” is now considered one of Britain’s favorite poems.

Taking Time to Observe of Memorial Day

In honor of Memorial Day this year, I would like to share with all of you Frye’s moving message.  It is currently listed as the 17th most favorite poems treasured by Americans.

Let us remember those who have strengthened and blessed our lives through their commitment and service to country, family, church and community.  Post this poem somewhere in your home.  As you read it this Memorial Day, think of those individuals who have gone before us that we hold dear to our hearts.   While no longer physically with us, they encircle us every day with their spirits and our memories of their love.

Do Not Stand by My Grave and Weep  (by Mary Elizabeth Frye, 1932) 

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there.  I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on the snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die.

For 3 days, Chengdu night life has picked up as shoppers and restaurant patrons fill the evenings coming and going.  Nothing like a 3-day holiday to increase consumerism and lift everyone’s spirits.

For myself, it’s been a farewell weekend.

After living here for almost 9 months, it’s time for my departure and return to Luzhou where I’ll be starting up teaching after the summer.

Although I rented a single room for almost the whole year, it seems I accumulated a great deal of stuff. I have 3 boxes of clothes and 2 suitcases which will be loaded into a car tomorrow for the 3 1/2 hour trip back.

How did that happen?!

My comfy one-room rental in Chengdu.

Preparing for departure: How did I get so much stuff?!

Good-Bye to My Dog Walking Partners

My Dog-walking Friends

This afternoon, it will be saying goodbye to many of my animal friends on campus.

My two favorites are 57-year-old Ms. Zhao and Mao Dou (Hairy Bean), her poodle, as well as 26-year-old Sha-sha and Hua-hua (Flower), her half-corgi mix.  We have been meeting up every day at 3 p.m. to enjoy watching the doggies play while chit-chatting.  Joining us has also been Frank (Gao Pei), a Sichuan University student whom I mentioned before.  Both he and Sha-sha enjoy practicing their English while Ms. Zhao and I work on my pitiful Chinese.

(Yes, even after a year’s classes, my language skills are still in need of work!)

As a gift to the three for their friendship, I put together 3 different photo albums of pictures I’ve taken during the year of all our dog- walking outings.  We have about 7 other pet owners who are regulars as well so their photos are all included.

Everyone will be remembered and have memories to share during our campus meet ups.  That is one thing I am definitely going to miss. (Here are a select few photos in the albums.)

Ms. Zhao and 毛豆 (Hairy Bean), her poodle. Chihuahua Little Beautiful Sister (小美妹) looks on.

Ms. Zhao and Frank

Ms Zhao, Sha-sha and I enjoy watching doggies at play.

Our campus pet walkers really love their animals.

Our canine friends and their dogs, posing for pictures.

One of our pet-lover’s crowd passes the time by crocheting while her Samoa enjoys his outing.

皮蛋 (Thousand-Year-Old Egg) and his owner are two of our favorites.

Mr. Wang really loves his miniature pinscher, Liang-liang.

Meng Zhui Wan Swimming Complex：New Policy Makes Summer Recreation Safer

As for my friends at the pool, my early 7 a.m. arrival for my Saturday work-out had me telling the staff good-bye until most likely October, National Day, when I’ll return for our 1-week holiday.

One thing I praised them on was the recent pool policy, which started on April 21^st, concerning deep water swimming.

Last year, a tragedy struck when a little boy drowned in the outside pool during a swim meet.  I’m not sure what happened. Rumors I heard were that there were so many kids running everywhere, and adults busy with competition watching, that he just fell in where the separate diving pool is (15 feet deep) and no one saw him until it was too late.

The entire complex was criticized by Chengdu city officials and managers had to pay compensation to the parents, 400,000 yuan ($66,666).

This is one reason why there is no longer a diving well at the outdoor pool.  The platforms and boards were removed and the area made into a shallow training pool for beginners.

It is also the reason why everyone who swims in the deeper pools, of which there are three, now has to take a swimming test to receive a deep water swimming card.

Flyers, announcements, park postings and even several TV news stations have been informing the public about this for over a month.  With May 1^st being the official opening of the outdoor swimming pools for summer swimmers, the pool officials wanted to make sure everyone knew about it beforehand so people wouldn’t make a stink when they arrived, only to be told they couldn’t swim unless their deep water testing card was in hand.

Exam times have been on-going since April 21^st, usually twice a day in 2-hour blocks.  We were required to bring a photo for the  card, then had to swim 100 meters without stopping and tread water for 30 seconds.  The lifeguards designated as our testers watched and timed us.  After that, we went to have our wallet-sized, photo IDed certificates signed and laminated.

The entire process took about 5 minutes.  I did my test on the first day to get it over with.  Most everyone was laughing a bit because they know I can swim extremely well and thought it rather silly for me to participate as well.

Despite my fame as a swimmer, I was very proud not to be given any special treatment. I jumped right in along with my Chinese pool mates to  take my test as mandated.

Needless to say, I completed the requirements and received my deep water swimming card, which I carry with me everywhere.

Flyers were in abundance to make sure we knew about testing procedures and times. I passed! Use of my fee card is good to go for any pool.

In Closing

Just to let you all know I may or may not have Net capability in my Luzhou apartment when I return tomorrow. I canceled my service 4 months ago so I wouldn’t be paying for something I wasn’t using.

If there is time, I will do my best to reinstate that but, if not, here’s wishing you Ping An (Peace) for your week until blogs from the States update you on my latest adventures.