Memorial Day marks 153rd anniversary

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day is a day in which those who died in active service are remembered the last Monday in May. Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day. The Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War were remembered. In 1967 it was legally named Memorial Day. An American holiday held to honor those who died while serving in the military. This year on May 25th marks the 153rd anniversary of its official nationwide observance. It is a holiday in which a nation honors its military dead. 

I will always remember as a little girl my mom and Grammie making flowers from crepe paper then putting wire stems on the flowers and dipping them in a hot paraffin wax and when it dried there was a pretty waxed flower and they were placed on the graves of our deceased family members. Back then flower shops were not around. I guess I will always feel a need to take care of the graves of our deceased family members out of love and respect of what I was taught by our family members many years ago. 

No sounds of the church bells on Sunday

We have had the sound of the church bells ringing on Sunday morning as long as I can remember. The bells rang and gave everyone time to assemble in the church. Today there is no Sunday morning services, nor Sunday evening services. No bells are ringing. This Sunday morning as I sat on our porch I was amazed at the sounds of the lawn mowers and weedeaters being used on Sunday. As a young girl we were taught Sunday is a day of rest and the stores were all closed on Sunday due to a law called ‘blue law.’

Church and visiting our grandparents was a big way to spend our Sundays. Family was what it was all about, now most of our family has passed on and only a few of us are left but I cannot imagine spending the Sabbath doing work we have 6 days to accomplish. I do miss attending church on Sunday morning. There is several services I listen to on tv and YouTube, which is good but nothing like assembling ourselves in God’s house and seeing our church family once again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Monday, May 25, a lovely lady in Inman will be celebrating her birthday. Beula Wells’ children and family wish Beula a happy blessed birthday. 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

A 25th wedding anniversary is Wednesday, May 27 and Kim Wells wishes her husband Lem Wells a happy wedding anniversary. God bless you both for this milestone. 

CEMETERY

Memorial Day weekend is this weekend. A time to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers. Gary and Randall will place a small American flag on the grave markers of the soldiers they can locate each year at the River View Cemetery. They cemetery has been mowed and the grass looks very nice. Gary and I went out this week to clean the head stones and place new flowers in the vases of our family members’ graves. I cannot help but wonder around and look at the names on the headstones. Sometimes a couple has passed and when I read the dates it was a very long time ago and no one is caring for their markers now. It makes me sad because in our family, Gary and I am the only ones to care for our cemetery family. Who will do it when we are gone?

RECOVERING AT HOME

My niece Karen Van Winkle was released from the hospital last week to come home where she lives in the Appalachian Towers. She had the coronavirus and was on a ventilator for 5 days. Karen has made a remarkable recovery with the Lord’s help. Prayer does help! Believe me. It will be awhile before she is completely over this and regains her strength back. Now she must wear a mask and be very careful and not contact this virus again. Thank you all for praying for her.

MIKE FORD

Please keep Mike Ben Ford on your prayer list. He is in Johnson City Hospital. He is being stepped down on the ventilator which is good news. Remember Una Faye, I know she is carrying a heavy load with not being able to see her husband and care for him. This is the rules at all the hospitals. No outside visitors at all and this is hard.

CANCELLATIONS

Due to COVID19 and the restrictions placed, cancellations have had to be made this year. The Inman Reunion and the Stonega Veterans Banquet have been cancelled. 

DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR MOWING

Now is the time when you can make a much needed donation to help pay for the mowing of the grass at the River View Cemetery. Donations from friends and family members is how it is maintained. If you live out of state or close by and you are unable to visit the cemetery of your family member, you can make a donation any time and mail it to the secretary, Randal Hicks, PO Box 162, East Stone Gap, VA 24246. Remember mowing season is April-October. 

LIONS CLUB

Remember June 11 the Appalachian Lions Club will meet at 7 p.m. Susie’s menu is pinto beans, kraut and wieners, fried potatoes and cornbread, killed lettuce/onions, deviled eggs, punch, cake and ice cream. Celebrating the last two months of no meetings!

BLAIR REUNION

The date for this year’s Blair Reunion has been changed to accommodate those wanting to attend the reunion in Andover and the one in Scott County. The dates are Saturday, September 26 in Andover at the Andover Community Center at noon with a pot luck/covered dish luncheon to follow at 1 p.m. On Sunday, September 27 is the reunion in Scott County. These dates were chosen to coincide with both reunions. Mark your calendars and bring your pictures and delicious food for a fun time of family fun and fellowship.