Veteran's Day vs Memorial Day

Yesterday, one of my facebook friends posted a question: "Can I ask a question - a serious question - its a pet peeve of mine. We have two holidays that seem somewhat similar - Memorial Day when we remember our deceased and especially our deceased military. I remember at home the parade going over the Wisconsin River bridge and stopping while a floral wreath was lowered into the river in honor of the naval war dead.

And we have Veterans Day to honor our nations Veterans. Why do we find it necessary to have our Veterans celebrations in cemeteries? Aren't we mixing apples and oranges here? Shouldn't we be having these celebrations at places like VA Hospitals, and maybe at recruiting centers or military installations?"

This made me reflect and think a little.

Memorial Day once was called "Decoration Day". Its the day graves of those lost their lives in the service of our country. Originally, it was for those that fought the Civil War. After WW1, it was expanded to honor those died in all American wars.

Memorial Day was traditionally observed on May 30th. In 1971 it was recognized as a federal holiday on the last Monday in May.

Veteran's Day used to be called Armistice Day. It is celebrated to mark the armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany. That armistice was signed on signed at 11 am on November 11, 1918. In 1938, it was made a legal holiday.

I remember that on November 11th each year, school came to a halt before 11 am. We stood at our desks at 11 am, turned facing East (I think it was) and had a moment of silence in observance of the signing of the armistice.

From 1971 until 1978 it was celebrated on the Monday close to November 11. However, because of the historic significance, it is celebrated on November 11th. That helps focus attention to the reason for the holiday: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

So, the short answer is that is that Memorial Day is for remembering those who lost their lives in battle or as a result of battle. Veteran's Day is to celebrate ALL Americans that served honorably.

I can understand the confusion. In my thinking, we should be laying wreaths and flagging cemeteries in observance of Memorial Day. On Veteran's Day we should celebrate all that have served in our armed forces.

It is appropriate to celebrate Veteran's Day with free meals to veterans, but not on Memorial Day.

Yes, it would be appropriate to celebrate at places like VA Hospitals, but it is also appropriate to celebrate the lives of veterans have have been laid to rest.

Best of the Trip

I have done this a couple other times - pick the best of my trip. I will start with cycling:

Best pavement ride - Moab Canyon Trail, Moab, UT. Rode this trail from downtown Moab to Arches National Park.

Best singletrack ride - J.E.M. Trail, Hurricane, UT

Best National Park scenery - Capitol Reef, Torrey, UT

Best State Park scenery - Valley of Fire, Nevada

Unusual scenery - Goblin Valley State Park, UT

I took a lot of HDR photos during the trip. They are available to viewing at: http://www.tomwinfield.com/vietnam/Echo2012/echo-12.html

They are Off!

Yesterday, I took photos of the Greenstreet Cyclocross race at Fontenelle Park. Day one of the race was a warm, windy day. I think the temperature hit 80 during the afternoon.

Its going to be a different situation today for the second day of the race. Its still windy, but temperatures are forecast to be in the 30s and some light drizzle (cyclocross weather).

As usual. my photos are available for viewing and purchase on my race and events web site http://win-photo.photoreflect.com. The photos on the web site are jpg proofs. When a photo file is ordered, I will start from the camera RAW file do some touch-up before converting to jpg and e-mailing the file to the customer.

A Break in Albuquerque

Stopped in Albuquerque for 3 nights. Wanted to ride my bikes and take care with some errands. Needed to get the car lubed. While there, found out that I had a chipped windshield. Got that repaired.

Did some shopping, rested and got some sleep. It has been a busy trip, so needed and earned a couple days to relax.

Met an online friend. Nice visit. Got in two bile rides on the Paseo del Bosque. Felt great to be on the bike. Today's photo was taken on the "Bosque".

Petrified Forest & Painted Desert

Seems like I didn't do much yesterday but was very tired last night. After breakfast in the motel, I made a detour to tour the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Parks.

I should have walked more to get photos. Forgot that most of the petrified trees were near the South end of the park (in the 2 view area). But with the way my knee had been feeling over the last week, I did not want to push it. Got a few good photos. The photo here was taken near the Museum.

Some of the best section of Petrified Forest for landscape photography was Blue Mesa.

Interstate 4O runs through the park - just about where US-66 was. The old Route 66 is marked - check out the old car there. There is NO access to I-40 at this point. Its another 6 miles up the park road.

Painted Desert section of the park offers some awesome views of the landscape. Painted Desert Inn was along the road. By the time I got to the Painted Desert Visitor's Center, I was getting hungry. Stopped there for restroom, food and shopping.

Uneventful drive on into Albuquerque. Just tired and glad to be into the motel.

Starting on the Way Home

Sunday was the day to start towards home. Packed up the room and loaded the car (no small task). Took a break of loading the car for breakfast.

The hurricane on the East coast is causing problems for some of our group. Lost of airports on the East Coast are closed. Anyway, said my "Good-Bye"s and hit the road. First stop - Hoover Dam.

Had not been at Hoover Dam in over 15 years. New Visitor's Center, parking structure, and of course the new bridge. All kinds of security check-points. Did not want to go through the scanners with the camera, I just walked a part of the dam - enough for some photos.

Lake Meade is VERY low!. I had heard from someone in the reunion was that it was down 22", but it looks like 22 FEET low. Part of the drought in the country.

Was a little leery of driving over the new bridge - open heights and all. I was actually disappointed. The concrete guardrails were so high, you don't even know you are high in the air. Word is that you can wlk over onto the bridge, but what I saw, it means a BiG climb up steps to the observation area. My legs would never handle it.

Back on the road about 2/3 of the way from, the dam to Kingman, there was a sign for Visitor's Information. Not right on the highway, had to drive 4 miles into the town of Chloride. An old mining town, it is said to be the oldest continually functioning post office (and town) in Arizona.

Turned East on I-40. Was thinking of making Winslow, AZ. But i was just too tired. Lucky to make Flagstaff. Got a room and crashed. On to Albuquerque for a couple days.

Echo Company Banquet

The banquet was in the Bugsy Siegel Room (his old Penthouse Suite in the hotel). A large room, lots of space for us.

I set up at one end to take "mug shots". Had some problems with the old camera. Taking my photo another guy turned on the self-timer. Since i do not use the camera much, could not figure out how to turn it off. Even replacing the battery didn't do the trick. Started using the new camera.

The program was starting, so I had to abandon the mug shots. Figured out the problem and re-set the older camera during dinner.

I think I mentioned in another post, the banquet was costing $55 per person. The food sure was not worth it. My steak was very tough.

Made it through dinner and the program. I had asked the host a couple times for put a group photo on the program. He failed to do that. At the end of banquet I hollered asking everyone to stay put and line up for a group photo. It was talking to a wall. Did bet the "first timers" that were still in the hall to pose for a group photo.

I was livid. Gathered up my camera equipment and calendars (thanks to those that bought a calendar). Down to the room to calm down. Chatted a little over a beer in the hospitality room. Back to the room and crashed.

Photo above is if the banquet color guard from Nellis AFB.