Monument association is nonprofit that was organized in the 1990s. Theis associated with organization of the same name that until it was transferred to the National Park service. The dma is dedicated to the preservation of grants tomb, the largest muzzling them in the western hemisphere. An important part of our mission is to Foster Foster education , our ulysses s. Grant nations 18th president. In recent years, we revised the tradition dating back to the 19th century to commemorate grants birthday with a dinner in new york city. The program each year has been an educational one highlighted ia, quite in which general david petronius interviews a historian about different aspects of grants story. Another annual tradition is the official commemoration of grants birthday at his tomb. An impressive ceremony organized by the National Parks service and west point. We are of the pandemic all experiencing, both events have been canceled but we thought it was important to recognize grant;s birt
Bernard we are standing on the edge of hampton park in the northern part of the city. It is historically significant because it was the site for what most historians today believe to have been the first celebration of what we call memorial day today. And the occasion was the time period of the civil war and immediately following the war. Now, during the civil war, this area, which had been a racetrack, was used as an openair prison camp maintained by the confederates for union prisoners. And during the course of occupying this place as a prison camp, over 250 Union Soldiers died and they were buried in this area. Well, in february of 1865, the city of charleston fell to the union forces who invaded it and occupied it. And this brought freedom to africanamericans in this city for the first time. And so there were many celebrations on that occasion. And one of the things that happened was that africanamerican men and women and children mainly organized through church groups, they came to
And the reception it has gotten so far . Guest they will have three different fire departments, state police, american leisure honor guard American Legion honor guard. Leaders from the boys and girl scouts. They are expecting several hundred people to participate. The township supervisors had been discussing ways to honor memorial day, and how can they do it . Since the beginning of april, they have had a program where they have been giving out free food, and local Catering Companies and businesses are donating food and people financially impacted by covid19 can drive through the parking lot, get their readytoeat meal and be on their way. This somewhat mirrors that. They just decided if everybody is going to stay in their cars and be apart from every each can keep separate, why not have a parade in this way . ,ost the website lehighvalleylive. Com. What are other events you have covered in pennsylvania on how people are experiencing memorial day in a time of social distancing . Guest t
President truman announced the official surrender. This is a solemn but glorious hour. I wish that franklin d. Roosevelt had lived to see this day. General eisenhower informs me that the forces of germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over europe. For this victory we join in offering our thanks to the providence which has guided and sustained us through the dark days of adversity and into light. Much remains to be done. The victory won in the west must now be won in the east. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half of the world has been freed. United, the peaceloving nations have demonstrated in the west that their arms are stronger by far and the might of dictators are the tyranny of military clicks that once called us soft and weak. The power of our people to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved in the pacific war as it was proved in europe. Historic pictures last days of the war in europe show american and R
Less important. Just like every year, this memorial day, lets commemorate the Service Members and families who have sacrificed in defense of our freedom. The freedoms we cherish but are so often taken for granted did not come without a price. For generations, american patriots have secured our blessings of liberty by willingly laying down their lives in defense of our great nation. Every fallen soldier leaves behind a grieving parent, child, sibling, spouse, or friend. These family members and friends never forget that knock at the door, the sound of taps, the loud thunder of the 21gun salute or the touch of a folded flag once laid on a casket. As a combat veteran, i know that the men and women in uniform who served bravely alongside the fallen never forget either. I think of iowans like iraq war veteran Richard Myles whose picture i proudly display on my desk. Iowa Army National guardsman brent maher, james carney whose family are dear friends, just 22 years old, killed in afghanistan