submitted by Corinne Philpott
Hoosick Grange celebrated “Memorial Day Past and Present” on May 27. After the business meeting the lecturer had a reading on Memorial Day and how in the past it was called Decoration Day. They decorated the graves of our fallen heroes with flowers.
There are different stories on who first started Memorial Day. In 1966, Congress and the President claimed the first to commemorate Memorial Day was the Town of Waterloo, New York. They had a ceremony on May 5, 1866, when businesses closed and flags were flown at half-staff. Now Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May, like the other holidays, a three day weekend. Stores are open with big sales, and people have picnics – fewer people go to parades. Shouldn’t we give time to remember those who gave their lives in wars and take time to feel grateful?
The lecturer read about “Old Glory” – long may it wave. Born in Philadelphia on June 14, 1777, it became the flag of the United States of America.
She also told about the poppy. It goes back to World War I, when our brave servicemen died and were buried in France where little red poppies grew and covered their graves. The poppy became a symbol of eternal life for the departed comrades. In Holland there are more than 8,200 Americans buried there. The graves are marked with white cross headstones or Star of David. Each monument has an American flag and a Dutch flag. The Dutch people adopt monuments and put flowers on them. The lecturer had a reading on a family in 1933, who took the whole day to go to the cemetery, with their mules and wagon. It took six hours one way over dirt roads. That was a special Memorial Day.
May is also Melanoma month. It is the fastest rising cancer in young people ages 25 to 29. Use a sun screen, hat and cover up. May is also Stroke Month. She told about the symptons of stroke: sudden weakness, numbness of the face, arms and legs on one side. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking and understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. In case of any of these – call 911. A medication can help if given in the first three hours. Every minute counts. She closed the program with a joke and then they all sang Taps.
Our next meeting is on June 10, and David Schmidt is in charge of the program. It is Dairy Princess Night. Refreshment Committee is Marion Hynick and Ralph Philpott.