Today, May 31, 2010, is Memorial Day, a day to remember and honour those who died in service for the United States of America. It was originally called Decoration Day. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868. Flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.
Moina Michaelin 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," wrote a poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
Ms. Michaelin founded the National Poppy Movement, where red poppies are worn on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. In 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. The VFW ladies provide the red poppy flowers to all naturalized US citizens; remember having received yours during your oath taking? Small American flags are placed at the graves of our veterans. Congress made the day into a three-day weekend with the National Holiday Act of 1971.
Today, Memorial Day is also celebrated to remember all those who have passed on, not just the departed veterans. In the Philippines, our beloved dead is remembered during All Souls' Day on 2 November which follows All Saints' Day on November 1, which commemorates the departed saints. This is a long weekend, when families go to the cemeteries, to their provinces, where their beloved ones' graves are cleaned, painted, bedecked with flowers; candles are lit, prayers are said, and parties celebrated by the graveside(!)
The "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on December 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans are asked "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."
Our freedom is not free, let us remember and honour those who have died that we may have freedom.
Eternal rest grant unto them O, Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon them.
Most of information was gleaned from: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
I met a Tibetan monk... (By C.)
I met a Tibetan monk... (By C.)
Well, actually I was just one of several thousand yesterday morning (May 18th, 2010) who attended the panel discussion entitled “The Power of Education” at the University of Northern Iowa that featured the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The event was held at the McLeod Center, and had the atmosphere of a rock concert, with long lines at the entrance, metal detectors and armed security, including the Secret Service. But instead of the obligatory rock music blaring in the background, there were calming notes from wind chimes, flutes & strings. The vendors outside were hawking prayer flags & meditation mixes. The large video screen scrolled images of praying monks, snow-clad peaks, and the ancient cities perched atop the roof of the world.
When Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama finally appeared on stage, what struck me the most was his ordinary appearance and demeanor. Yes, here was the spiritual leader and head of state of Tibet. Yes, here was a man surrounded by world-wide celebrity, carrying a title rooted in geo-political strife & intrigue. Even before he arrived, the local Chinese student association lodged protests regarding the planned visit. The Chinese diplomatic corps objected to the conferring of an honorary degree. There he was dressed in traditional red robe & sandals, he offered the crowd the traditional anjali greeting, and apologized that he was late. I’ve seen presidents & presidential candidates up close in the past, and maybe I was imagining it and buying into the image of the title, but here was a man whose presence emanated serenity & calmness.
My teenage daughter thought he looked like a cross between her grandfather & Yoda. He spoke a slightly accented English, occasionally asking his interpreter for the right word to express his exact meaning. The morning’s discussion ebbed and flowed, the crowd would burst into applause many times during the almost 2 hour discourse on the role of education, non-violence, and moral ethics. For the duration, I was transported out of my ordinary day & concerns, hearing & seeing people who have achieved and are involved in extraordinary endeavors.
So as I left the venue heading back to the real world the random question that popped into my head was: what would anyone do if you were told at the age of 2 that you were the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama? Or in pop culture terms, if Morpheus told you “You are the One”? As a teenager, I barely looked beyond what was ahead the next day, the next hour & the next minute. Sure I had dreamed of taking a certain career path in a certain field; but in my early teens, I wasn’t sure I would make that turn in the road that led to where I am now. Some events were certainly beyond my control. Actions by others influenced the course of events. But where does one’s own actions, wills & desires actually make the difference and defines anyone’s path in life? Or is it an illusion that we made or can make a choice? How much is the result of random events and and unintended consequences?
The next random thought dwelt on the good fortune that I had support from my family that allowed me to take the small steps that led to where I am today. I share this life with a wonderful wife, and two daughters at the cusp of adulthood. I now have an extended family that spans several continents. Friends both real & virtual that allowed me to expand my view of the world. My work provides the intellectual challenges, societal rewards & responsibilities in the health-care field. Physical challenges are usually just the self-inflicted ones associated with powering 2 wheels with a nearly 50-year old motor.
I can only admire people whose chosen life & work influences the greater number of people beyond their local community & family. Or those who sacrifice their own well-being for the greater benefit of people in other parts of the world. My efforts pale in comparison. So my apologies to "hte laujne" for my indulgence in these random musings. It was a welcome break from the ordinary events that characterize my daily life.
Well, actually I was just one of several thousand yesterday morning (May 18th, 2010) who attended the panel discussion entitled “The Power of Education” at the University of Northern Iowa that featured the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The event was held at the McLeod Center, and had the atmosphere of a rock concert, with long lines at the entrance, metal detectors and armed security, including the Secret Service. But instead of the obligatory rock music blaring in the background, there were calming notes from wind chimes, flutes & strings. The vendors outside were hawking prayer flags & meditation mixes. The large video screen scrolled images of praying monks, snow-clad peaks, and the ancient cities perched atop the roof of the world.
When Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama finally appeared on stage, what struck me the most was his ordinary appearance and demeanor. Yes, here was the spiritual leader and head of state of Tibet. Yes, here was a man surrounded by world-wide celebrity, carrying a title rooted in geo-political strife & intrigue. Even before he arrived, the local Chinese student association lodged protests regarding the planned visit. The Chinese diplomatic corps objected to the conferring of an honorary degree. There he was dressed in traditional red robe & sandals, he offered the crowd the traditional anjali greeting, and apologized that he was late. I’ve seen presidents & presidential candidates up close in the past, and maybe I was imagining it and buying into the image of the title, but here was a man whose presence emanated serenity & calmness.
My teenage daughter thought he looked like a cross between her grandfather & Yoda. He spoke a slightly accented English, occasionally asking his interpreter for the right word to express his exact meaning. The morning’s discussion ebbed and flowed, the crowd would burst into applause many times during the almost 2 hour discourse on the role of education, non-violence, and moral ethics. For the duration, I was transported out of my ordinary day & concerns, hearing & seeing people who have achieved and are involved in extraordinary endeavors.
So as I left the venue heading back to the real world the random question that popped into my head was: what would anyone do if you were told at the age of 2 that you were the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama? Or in pop culture terms, if Morpheus told you “You are the One”? As a teenager, I barely looked beyond what was ahead the next day, the next hour & the next minute. Sure I had dreamed of taking a certain career path in a certain field; but in my early teens, I wasn’t sure I would make that turn in the road that led to where I am now. Some events were certainly beyond my control. Actions by others influenced the course of events. But where does one’s own actions, wills & desires actually make the difference and defines anyone’s path in life? Or is it an illusion that we made or can make a choice? How much is the result of random events and and unintended consequences?
The next random thought dwelt on the good fortune that I had support from my family that allowed me to take the small steps that led to where I am today. I share this life with a wonderful wife, and two daughters at the cusp of adulthood. I now have an extended family that spans several continents. Friends both real & virtual that allowed me to expand my view of the world. My work provides the intellectual challenges, societal rewards & responsibilities in the health-care field. Physical challenges are usually just the self-inflicted ones associated with powering 2 wheels with a nearly 50-year old motor.
I can only admire people whose chosen life & work influences the greater number of people beyond their local community & family. Or those who sacrifice their own well-being for the greater benefit of people in other parts of the world. My efforts pale in comparison. So my apologies to "hte laujne" for my indulgence in these random musings. It was a welcome break from the ordinary events that characterize my daily life.
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