Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

My image as a patriot took a hit last Saturday. On our traditional trip to downtown Emporium that morning, my wife Shirley and I were puzzled to see the flags flying. Then we were reminded that it was Armed Forces Day.

I apologize to my comrades for this lapse of memory. Perhaps it's a sign of what lies in the future for this old-timer.

On Aug. 31, 1949, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force days. It stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Defense Department. The Marine Corps League declined to drop Marine Corps Day, but it still supports Armed Forces Day.

Of course, no one will forget about Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, coming up this Monday.

The official date for Memorial Day is May 30, but the three-day weekend supporters tramped all over the veterans and pushed our politicians to change it to the last Monday in May. The American Legion and the VFW still oppose that political trick because it takes away the reason the holiday was created -- to honor our fallen comrades.

Please take some time on Monday to remember with deepest respect and appreciation all of those United States men and women who have died in military service.

It began first to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include anyone who died in any U.S. war or in the military service. Many families and friends visit the cemeteries and place flags and flowers on the graves of their loved ones. At 3 pm eastern time, a moment of silence is to be observed. Another tradition i to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon.

Volunteers place an American flag on every grave site in our national cemeteries. Locally, the dedicated volunteers from the American Legion and VFW place a flag on every veteran's grave. Some of the remote graveyards are hard to find but these people will see that every fallen veteran has Old Glory standing guard.

Memorial Day weekend also brings with it the running of the Indianapolis 500. "Gentlemen, start your engines" has launched this race since 1911.

Many also consider Memorial Day the official start of the summer season. Schools are closing their doors and it's time to get outdoors.

I hope the rain stops for a couple days so I can cut my grass. My back yard could now be classified as a wetland. No alligators yet, but I am keeping my eyes open for them.

I know a guy who crossed an alligator with a Volkswagen Beetle. He didn't know what to call it and it sure was hard to get parts for it.

Maybe the people at the new NAPA parts store on Fourth Street will be able to help him. Good luck, folks, on your new venture.