With the coming of the Memorial Day weekend, I want to take the time to recognize the many men and women who have died in defending the country. The soldiers and sailors in the service of the United States make tremendous sacrifices to provide security for the rest of us living here. The time spent away from home, separated from their families and loved ones; it is truly a great sacrifice these men and women give so that the rest of us can remain safe and secure in our homes.
I had promised not to use the cliché,”the ultimate sacrifice” in this essay. Yet, the phrase seems so appropriate to recognize the men and women who have died in the service of the country. To the many millions of men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, I can only say “thank you for all that you have done to make my life so rewarding.”
While I am thanking people for their service, I want to recognize the men and women, also in uniform, who serve in the communities helping to protect me and my family: the police and fire departments, the emergency response teams, the paramedics and ambulance drivers and all the employees in hospitals. So many individuals work to make their community a safer place. They need to be acknowledged as well. So many people risk their lives and their well being for my protection and security, I want to say thank you to you all.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Bad News For Pinball Museum
Bad news is striking everywhere these days. The National Pinball Museum in Georgetown has been evicted from its exhibit space. The Vornado Realty Trust owns the space occupied by the museum. They are evicting the pinballers in order to renovate the building.
It is truly a sad time for all of us.
It is truly a sad time for all of us.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Last Combat Veteran of WWI Dies
Claude Stanley Choules, the last combat veteran of World War One died earlier this week. There is only one remaining veteran of the war living in the world. According to newspaper reports, Florence Green is the only known surviving veteran of the war. Ms. Green served as a waitress in the Women’s Royal Air Force.
I wanted to share a few thoughts about them and their service to country, and the world. These two, and all veterans, should be honored for their sacrifices in their military service. The fact these two are the oldest surviving members is interesting, but as Mr. Choules once said, his secret to a long life was just “keep breathing.”
He made a career out of the military, first entering during the Great War at age 14. He then served in the Navy through World War II and finally retired in 1956.
I have never met Mr. Choules. In fact, I had never heard of him until I read his death announcements. It seems, though, appropriate to recognize his service and sacrifice to insure world peace. Thank you Mr. Choules.
From a historian’s perspective, I am happy to note that he wrote his memoirs, titled The Last of the Last. A brief example from the pages of his autobiography describes witnessing the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918. It may prove to be an interesting book.
I wanted to share a few thoughts about them and their service to country, and the world. These two, and all veterans, should be honored for their sacrifices in their military service. The fact these two are the oldest surviving members is interesting, but as Mr. Choules once said, his secret to a long life was just “keep breathing.”
He made a career out of the military, first entering during the Great War at age 14. He then served in the Navy through World War II and finally retired in 1956.
I have never met Mr. Choules. In fact, I had never heard of him until I read his death announcements. It seems, though, appropriate to recognize his service and sacrifice to insure world peace. Thank you Mr. Choules.
From a historian’s perspective, I am happy to note that he wrote his memoirs, titled The Last of the Last. A brief example from the pages of his autobiography describes witnessing the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918. It may prove to be an interesting book.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Spring is Beginning to Arrive
The Pasqueflower is blooming so spring is not far off. Now is the time to plan those research trips and journies for new sources of family history.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Wisconsin Library System is Being Threatened
Gov. Walker of Wisconsin seems to be focused on a path of "divide and conquer" as a means to dismantle all that is great about the State of Wisconsin. Now he is proposing a plan to weaken the unity of libraries throughout the state by altering budget standards.
To read more go to the website at the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper:
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_Old5566a-45ff-11e0-94fe-001cc4c3286.html
And thanks to Eastman's Online Genealogy for bringing this to my attention.
To read more go to the website at the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper:
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_Old5566a-45ff-11e0-94fe-001cc4c3286.html
And thanks to Eastman's Online Genealogy for bringing this to my attention.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Grandma Always Wondered What Her Baby Saw in That Man
Recently I was attending a Family History Conference when the institution of marriage was brought up for discussion. The point was made that not all marriages were formalized or legal. In some areas of northern Europe, common law marriage was referred to as a partnership. And dissolution of the partnership could be attained simply by walking away from the relationship.
In the United States, the legal formalities of marriage were not always followed. In the Midwest, often times, ministers or judges were distant. A marriage ceremony could be as simple as a couple announcing to their family and friends, and the immediate community, that they were married. At some later date, when the minister was traveling through, the ceremony would be legalized. Children born between these dates were not considered illegitimate. It simply showed that the legal system was slow to catch up with the community.
The institution of marriage can be further complicated by the motives for marriage. Everyone likes to believe their ancestors married for love. Prince Charming came into town and swept Grandma off her feet. And, some marriages may have been the result of love. But, before the 1880s, marriage was often regarded as a contract or a business agreement. Marriages often were negotiated to advance political power, or business influence, or more money. Rarely did love come into consideration.
Known as “companionate marriage,” the institution of marriage, before the dawning 20th century, was a negotiated agreement. Dowries and legal agreements came into consideration. Love had very little to do with marriage until the late 1800s
Marriage as an institution and the relationships coming out of matrimony are important considerations for Family History. Yet, understanding the motives behind it all is equally important.
In the United States, the legal formalities of marriage were not always followed. In the Midwest, often times, ministers or judges were distant. A marriage ceremony could be as simple as a couple announcing to their family and friends, and the immediate community, that they were married. At some later date, when the minister was traveling through, the ceremony would be legalized. Children born between these dates were not considered illegitimate. It simply showed that the legal system was slow to catch up with the community.
The institution of marriage can be further complicated by the motives for marriage. Everyone likes to believe their ancestors married for love. Prince Charming came into town and swept Grandma off her feet. And, some marriages may have been the result of love. But, before the 1880s, marriage was often regarded as a contract or a business agreement. Marriages often were negotiated to advance political power, or business influence, or more money. Rarely did love come into consideration.
Known as “companionate marriage,” the institution of marriage, before the dawning 20th century, was a negotiated agreement. Dowries and legal agreements came into consideration. Love had very little to do with marriage until the late 1800s
Marriage as an institution and the relationships coming out of matrimony are important considerations for Family History. Yet, understanding the motives behind it all is equally important.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Boston Athenaeum Flooded
The damage was significant but not catastrophic, the Boston Athenaeum suffered water damage this past weekend. Thankfully none of the historic books were severely damaged. Here is the story published on www.boston.com
The Boston Athenaeum, the landmark membership library on Beacon Hill that is more than 200 years old, has sent thousands of books to a specialist for freeze-drying after a water leak flooded the building on Monday.
Library officials said today that the leak caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage. While stunned by the incident, they were also relieved because no truly historic items had been destroyed.
"It could have been a spectacular disaster," said James Reid-Cunningham, the Athenaeum's chief conservator.
The cause of the leak still hasn't been determined, but it did happen on one of the coldest days in years so frozen pipes are a suspect.
The flooding started on the first floor of the building on Beacon Street. "It was like Niagara Falls," said librarian Paula D. Matthews.
The flooding spread from the elegant Long Room, which overlooks the Old Granary Burying Ground, and to the Newspaper Reading Room, the Bow Room, and the Children’s Library. The water was ankle-deep and seeped into stacks of books on lower floors, officials said.
The Athenaeum was founded in 1807 and is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States. It will be closed for the next few days, officials said.
The Boston Athenaeum, the landmark membership library on Beacon Hill that is more than 200 years old, has sent thousands of books to a specialist for freeze-drying after a water leak flooded the building on Monday.
Library officials said today that the leak caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage. While stunned by the incident, they were also relieved because no truly historic items had been destroyed.
"It could have been a spectacular disaster," said James Reid-Cunningham, the Athenaeum's chief conservator.
The cause of the leak still hasn't been determined, but it did happen on one of the coldest days in years so frozen pipes are a suspect.
The flooding started on the first floor of the building on Beacon Street. "It was like Niagara Falls," said librarian Paula D. Matthews.
The flooding spread from the elegant Long Room, which overlooks the Old Granary Burying Ground, and to the Newspaper Reading Room, the Bow Room, and the Children’s Library. The water was ankle-deep and seeped into stacks of books on lower floors, officials said.
The Athenaeum was founded in 1807 and is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States. It will be closed for the next few days, officials said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
