Freedom Let it Ring

 If you want a good cry today, listen to Trace Adkin's song Arlington.  I know it's July 4th - I am not all decorated like I used to be.  I do have one American Flag out and I asked Alexa to play patriotic songs, which led to the song Arlington.  I cried.

Two years ago the freedom of what woman can do was taken away from us.  Roe vs. Wade was overturned.  I called my friend Cathy and all I could say was Cathy and she knew and felt like I did.  Being 67 I can remember what woman went through with back room abortions.  But that day freedom was taken away.  I cried.

Yesterday the BBB was passed, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you a Rich White man, you lost a little freedom.  You might not feel it now, but I guarantee you will.

Today is July 4th, today we celebrate the Declaration of Independence - “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.” 

I think right now we are losing that happiness.  I remember hearing patriotic songs on the 4th and they made cry, but not because I was sad, but I was proud, proud to be an American.  Proud to think about how our forefathers fought for freedom.  

My family came from Poland.  Their names are at Ellis Island.  This country is made up of immigrants, everyone, unless you are a Native American. Yet we are persecuting immigrants right now.  I know some are in the country illegally, but all they are looking for is the same thing we want, freedom and the pursuit of happiness.  

Isn't there a way to help, instead of sending them to Alligator Alcatraz?

And, if they can build that in a few days why can't we do that for the homeless.  Remember what the Statue of Liberty had engraved on it -  

 Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.  Send these, the homeless, temptest-tost to me.  I lift my lamp beside the golden door.   

I cried

Do you remember 9/11 - Cathy called me to tell me - we came together as nation that day.  Showing the world nothing can tear us apart.   Except right now we are letting something tear us apart.  We aren't the same.  We lost the happiness of the USA.

Do you know what I like to hear on this day - July 4th - it's not a speech by Washington, Lincoln or JFK.  It's  a speech from a movie President in the movie Independence Day where we are attacked by Aliens.  The space kind.

"In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world, and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interest. Perhaps it's fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression or persecution, but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live, to exist. And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, we will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight. We're going to live on. We're going to survive. Today, we celebrate our independence day." yup - I cried.

Best line is - We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore.  So true!

Happy 4th of July - may you take this day to remember what it is all about.  Remember what freedom means.  Remember the flag, the Statute of Liberty, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States of America.  Remember those who died for our freedom, for America,  

Liberty is the right to live free, you and me, let us not lose it to any authority which chooses to oppress us.  

and I cried, but that's another day in Catasauqua.

Oh Say Can You See

You know, all this controversy with the Star-Spangled Banner and the Philadelphia Eagles and the President got me thinking.  Where did it all start.

We all know that Francis Scott Keys wrote the lyrics come from "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by the then 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry
and observed that the fort's smaller "storm flag" continued to fly, but once the shell and  rocket barrage had stopped, he would not know how the battle had turned out until dawn. On the morning of September 14, the storm flag had been lowered and the larger flag had been raised.

During the bombardment, HMS Terror and the HMS Meteor provided some of the "bombs bursting in air".

The 15-star, 15-stripe "Star-Spangled Banner" that inspired the poem

Key was inspired by the U.S. victory and the sight of the large U.S. Flag   flying triumphantly above the fort. This flag, with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, had been made by Mary  Young Pickersgill  together with other workers in her home on Baltimore's Pratt Street. The flag later came to be known as the Star-Spangled Banner  and is today on display in the National Museum of American History,  a treasure of the Smithsonian Institution.   

The song gained popularity throughout the 19th century and bands played it during public events, such as July 4th celebrations.

A plaque displayed at Fort Meade, South Dakota, claims that the idea of making "The Star Spangled Banner" the national anthem began on their parade ground in 1892. Colonel Caleb Carlton, Post Commander, established the tradition that the song be played "at retreat and at the close of parades and concerts." Carlton explained the custom to Governor Sheldon of South Dakota who "promised me that he would try to have the custom established among the state militia." Carlton wrote that after a similar discussion, Secretary of War, Daniel E. Lamont issued an order that it "be played at every Army post every evening at retreat."

In 1899, the U.S. Navy officially adopted "The Star-Spangled Banner".  In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that "The Star-Spangled Banner" be played at military and other appropriate occasions. The playing of the song two years later during the 7th inning stretch of Game One of the 1918 World Series  and thereafter during each game of the series is often cited as the first instance that the anthem was played at a baseball game.  There is a great story here - (From the History Channel )  "Yet even though the event featured two teams at the top of their games, the crowd was somber that day, writes ESPN The Magazine. Since entering the Great War a year and a half ago, more than 100,000 U.S. soldiers had died. And just a day before the game, a bomb had exploded in Chicago, (the city in which the game was held), killing four people and injuring dozens more. In addition, the U.S. government had recently announced that it would begin drafting major league baseball players.
All this sat heavy on the shoulders of both the players and the smaller-than-usual crowd of fans that day. But during the seventh-inning stretch, the U.S. Navy band began to play the Star-Spangled Banner; and something changed.

As the song began, Red Sox infielder Fred Thomas—who was in the Navy and had been granted furlough to play in the World Series—immediately turned toward the American flag and gave it a military salute, according to the Chicago Tribune. Other players turned to the flag with hands over hearts, and the already-standing crowd began to sing. At the song’s conclusion, the previously quiet fans erupted in thunderous applause. At the time, the New York Times reported that it “marked the highest point of the day’s enthusiasm.” The song would be played at each of the Series’ remaining games, to increasingly rapturous response. And patriotism played a part right from the start, as the Red Sox gave free tickets to wounded veterans and honored them during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner before the start of the decisive Game 6."

President Hoover signed the bill on March 4, 1931, officially adopting "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem of the United States of America.

Now here is an interesting FACT - When the U.S. national anthem was first recognized by law in 1931, there was no prescription as to behavior during its playing.   It wasn't until 1942 saluting and taking ones hat off came into play.

Since 1998, federal law (viz., the United States Code 36 U.S.C states that during a rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present including those in uniform should stand at attention; Non-military service individuals should face the flag with the right hand over the heart; Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present and not in uniform may render the military salute; military service persons not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note. The law further provides that when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. Military law requires all vehicles on the installation to stop when the song is played and all individuals outside to stand at attention and face the direction of the music and either salute, in uniform, or place the right hand over the heart, if out of uniform. The law was amended in 2008, and since allows military veterans to salute out of uniform, as well.

The text of 36 U.S.C.  is suggestive and not regulatory in nature. Failure to follow the suggestions is not a violation of the law. This behavioral requirement for the national anthem is subject to the same First Amendment controversies that surround the Pledge of Allegiance.    For example, Jehovah's Witnesses do not sing the national anthem, though they are taught that standing is an "ethical decision" that individual believers must make based on their "conscience."

All this hooting and hollering lately about the Star Spangled Banner and the NFL seems to me to be up to the individual and shouldn't even be dictated by the NFL  it is suggested and not regulatory to stand.  It says you should stand and not you have to stand.  

Yes, we do it out of respect for what the flag stands for in the song.  But even the song has been debated.  It is hard to sing.  The music for the our National Anthem was written by John Stafford Smith, who was from England.  The tune was from "The Anacreontic Song" was the official song of the Anacreontic Society in England.  The Anacreontic Society was a gentlemen's club of the kind that was popular in London in the late eighteenth century.  The Society was dedicated to the ancient Greek poet Anacreon, who was renowned for his drinking songs and odes to love. Its members, who consisted mainly of wealthy men of high social rank, would meet on Wednesday evenings to combine musical appreciation with eating and drinking.  LOL - I don't know why this makes me laugh, it just does.  Because the tune of the Star Spangled Banner is from a drinking song! 

But it all boils down to this - It is a National Anthem, no matter how it got there.  It stands freedom.  The flag flies for a country "which is the land of the free and the home of the brave" .  It stands for liberty and justice for all.  You know, I think our Country has forgotten this.   The flag isn't to be worship, it's not an idol, it is a symbol.  I don't think we are the people we use to be.  We are slowly loosing our freedoms.  We are being told more and more how to act, who to like and what to be.  We are loosing our voice in government.  We are a people divided and that's not good.  That is not what America is.  

For me, I stand and put my hand over my heart at baseballs games.  I even stand at home.  And patriotic songs make shed a tear.  I love America, but I am worried as to where we are headed.

For me...this is another day in Catasauqua.

298 Names

Last year, I wrote all about Memorial Day - it's origins and who the holiday celebrated.  My Blog started as follows:

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

We forget why we have the day off - it's not to picnic, to party, or to declare the unofficial start of summer.  It's to remember. 

Sure my weekend is full of yard work, but this morning, while I was doing my FAVORITE thing that I don't get to do much of anymore and that is read the paper with a cup of coffee in the yard.  I read one page in the Morning Call that made we remember what this day is all about and that was 298 names of those who have died since 2003 as a result of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from Pennsylvania.  Some of those names are right from towns around us, Whitehall, Bethlehem, Allentown, Emmaus, etc.

298 Names.

It made me tear up, it made remember and it made me say a prayer for their friends and family who have suffered so great of a loss. 

Today the Catasauqua American Legion Post 215 makes sure we remember with Services as Fairview Cemetery at 10 AM.  The throwing of a wreath from the Pine Street Bridge at 10:15 AM.  A ceremony at 10:30 AM at the North Catty Monument at 10:30 AM. A ceremony at St. Mary's Cemetery at 10:45AM and then back to the Legion for a dedication at 11:00 AM.

So today, between the burgers, hot dogs, or like me - the planting of the tomato plants.  Take a moment.  Take a moment to remember those who have died while fighting while serving proudly the United States of America remember the
proud men and women of the Armed Forces. 

Take moment to remember 298 names. 

Take a moment........and that's Another day in Catasauqua.

Halupkies and Fond Memories from my Childhood

Today is the start of my halupkie making season.  It is when I start making halupkies for the different events at Salem UCC, such as the one this Saturday, March 8, our Annual Mardi Gras.  Now I know we are a couple days late, sorry, but Salem has a program where we volunteer in the community the first Saturday of the month.     It's called the First Fruits Program.  I volunteer at the Catasauqua Library.  So we had to move Mardi Gras to the 2nd Saturday.

There will be lots of good food, including my halupkies, along with haluski, hot dogs, barbeque and much more.  I think we might even being having a breakfast.  Along with the food is a big  FLEA MARKET and a wonderful "Tricky Tray" or some say "Basket Raffle".  There is also a beautiful afghan, made by one of my bff's Roseanne, that is being raffled off.  Plus a bake sale and a children's corner.   There is even rumor that TWINKLE STAARR the Clown might appear to do face painting and balloon animals.

But back to the halupkies.  Many people have, over the years, volunteered to help me.  I always turn them down, saying that my kitchen is to small. I really don't need the help.  Those are both true.  But the real reason that I like to do them by myself is that they bring me closer to a childhood memory of my Grandfather, George Temos.  Uncle Georgie to my counsins, Pappy to me. 

Pappy with his passion - his car

He was a tall man.  I was looking for a picture of him and almost always his head is cut off in the pictures.  It was always tan, he worked at the Bethlehem Steel as a rigger.    He died many years ago when I was young, somewhere around 5th or 6th grade.  But I always remember him is some of the traditions I still keep.  His family was from Poland, the only one in his family to be born in America.  He would not teach me Polish because he said we are in American - you speak American.   The only polish I can remember is dobro pivo, which means good beer.  I guess I really don't need to know anything else! 

He was the only male figure in the family, I have never met my dad, so he was everything to me.  He use to teach me to fix things, he would say, "you never know when you might not have a man to help you."  So when I make halupkies, which was one of the Sunday Dinners he would prepare, I think of him.  He taught me to brown the hamburger first, that comes from growing up on the farm, all our meat was well done.  More importantly he taught me how to roll them so that the don't fall apart. After you put the hamburger and rice mixture in the center of the cabbage leaf it is - fold the bottom up - fold left in - right in and squish the top down into the center with your finger.  Every time I hear the squishy sound I think of him saying "That's it Beverly, you got it."

So you see, my kitchen is quite crowded, and I am never really doing the alone, Pappy is right here with me saying - Beverly, you got it.

Love you Pappy........and that's another day in Catasauqua
 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882^.   It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, the Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend.  (Thank you Congress I love a three day weekend)  The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted Congress' change of date within a few years. (whew)

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead. 

Today I was at an Iron Pigs game and they were celebrating Memorial Day Weekend with the singing of God Bless America and the song Proud to be an American.  You know,  I have said it before in my blog, I love Patriotic Songs - I stood up, I cheered and I got a tear in my eye.  Take time this weekend to remember the men and woman who died and continue to die to make this country free. Fly the flag!  Don't be afraid to show your patriotism.  Memorial Day is not just picnics, hot dogs and corn on the cob.  Take time to remember, have a moment of silence, sing or hum a patriotic tune.

Thanks, now go party (I have to go make some smores)  and that's Another Day in Catasauqua.