Last week was another of the 52 weeks in every year that folks across North America must stop and give thanks and thoughts to. And remembrance of so much given by so many in order that you and I can live, in peace today.
Or at least in most places, tragic that it is that these feelings can not be shared by the daily horrors seen by those brave men, women and children in the Ukraine, and their families around the world.
Closer to home, thousands each day pass one of the 18 wonderful Civil War statutes in Washington DC. One dedicated to remembrance! Though, tragically not known to all who pass bye.
Here is that statute.
Or at least in most places, tragic that it is that these feelings can not be shared by the daily horrors seen by those brave men, women and children in the Ukraine, and their families around the world.
Closer to home, thousands each day pass one of the 18 wonderful Civil War statutes in Washington DC. One dedicated to remembrance! Though, tragically not known to all who pass bye.
Here is that statute.
The man on top of this statute asks, did you remember the price we, are families and other loved ones paid so long ago?
His name was John Logan and he was a politician, lawyer and Civil War General. After the war he became the 2nd president of the thousands strong very influential veterans group known as the Grand Army of the Republic.
His statute represents men and women who came forth from so many nations, to save the United States of America. Ironic, that its very location, is only a few blocks away from the Canadian Embassy. Canada being a country that some 50,000 left to help our American neighbours during those horrific days of 1861-5.
His name was John Logan and he was a politician, lawyer and Civil War General. After the war he became the 2nd president of the thousands strong very influential veterans group known as the Grand Army of the Republic.
His statute represents men and women who came forth from so many nations, to save the United States of America. Ironic, that its very location, is only a few blocks away from the Canadian Embassy. Canada being a country that some 50,000 left to help our American neighbours during those horrific days of 1861-5.
Several years ago I had the privilege of visiting both the Canadian Embassy, and this statute and many other important DC locations. I was there doing research on the Civil War and the roles fellow Canadians played during those tragic days.
At war's end Major General John Logan joined and soon became the 2nd Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This group, numbering in the tens of thousands, had offices... or posts, across the US and a handful even in Canada. They represented the interests of their member veterans.
One of General Logan's (shown above) orders of business, was indeed an order. An order that required all members to take the time to remember, give thoughts to, and show same by adorning the graves of the past veterans with flowers.
And as such, a day had to de decided, that flowers would be in bloom all across the country. That day was chosen to be May 30th, and it was to become known as Decoration Day. Today it survives but Americans now call it Memorial Day.
And that day for this year was last week!
Logan's original order, known as General Order number 11, was issued on 5 May 1868, and here it is...
And as such, a day had to de decided, that flowers would be in bloom all across the country. That day was chosen to be May 30th, and it was to become known as Decoration Day. Today it survives but Americans now call it Memorial Day.
And that day for this year was last week!
Logan's original order, known as General Order number 11, was issued on 5 May 1868, and here it is...
This plaque may make reading a little easier...
Several times a year Americans come forth to recognize their fallen service men and women. Here is one way they show their respect...
It is unknown if this young fellow is one of many planting flags across the nation, during several occasions each year, or more tragically, if he is grieving the loss of a friend or family member.
We do the same in Canada. Similarly we also do Candlelight Ceremonies in many locations including here in Victoria BC.
At Victoria one such ceremony takes place annually at the Department of Veterans Affairs cemetery known as God's Acre.
The land was purchased by the navy for use as a cemetery back in 1868, making it 155 years old next year. On the grounds rest many family members and workers from the military and some 2500 resting places for military men and women.
To get to the cemetery you have two directions of approach, shown below.
We do the same in Canada. Similarly we also do Candlelight Ceremonies in many locations including here in Victoria BC.
At Victoria one such ceremony takes place annually at the Department of Veterans Affairs cemetery known as God's Acre.
The land was purchased by the navy for use as a cemetery back in 1868, making it 155 years old next year. On the grounds rest many family members and workers from the military and some 2500 resting places for military men and women.
To get to the cemetery you have two directions of approach, shown below.
To gain entry to the cemetery you could drive south on Tillicum Road, and turn right at Colville Road and continue to the 2nd arrow above. This is Veterans Drive. Again turn right and continue on for a few minutes till arriving at the cemetery. Or you could approach the entrance from the left side of the map show above.
If from the right, you drive right past an important historical memorial. Sadly most do not ever even see it. It is located at the red arrow at right in above picture. Here is that memorial...
If from the right, you drive right past an important historical memorial. Sadly most do not ever even see it. It is located at the red arrow at right in above picture. Here is that memorial...
The image is that of Rowland Bourke, a Brit. who moved to Canada and began farming but in clearing the land he lost an eye in an explosion. Continuing on, at the beginning of WWl he volunteered first with the Cdn. forces, then the US forces and then the Brits and got rejected by all three.
Eventually, with only one eye, the Brits took him on in their Naval Reserves. He would eventually be called into action, and would earn the Distinguished Service Order, and in short order would then be awarded the Victoria Cross for two different events and the saving of many sailors lives. (His heroism has been oft noted in this space.)
Lt Commander Bourke and General Pearkes are the only VC recipients buried in the greater Victoria area.
Bourke's grave has an annual ceremony, thanks to family, myself and the great folks at HMCS Malahat, the local naval reserve unit.
Pearkes final resting place, as far as I can tell, gets little notice or ceremony by anyone other than normal church maintenance.
Both should get major attention several times a year.
But getting back to God's Acre, for years the cemetery sign has become weather beaten and in need of repair. Several attempts to have the matter addressed finally resulted in the new sign being erected several months back. Here are both...
Eventually, with only one eye, the Brits took him on in their Naval Reserves. He would eventually be called into action, and would earn the Distinguished Service Order, and in short order would then be awarded the Victoria Cross for two different events and the saving of many sailors lives. (His heroism has been oft noted in this space.)
Lt Commander Bourke and General Pearkes are the only VC recipients buried in the greater Victoria area.
Bourke's grave has an annual ceremony, thanks to family, myself and the great folks at HMCS Malahat, the local naval reserve unit.
Pearkes final resting place, as far as I can tell, gets little notice or ceremony by anyone other than normal church maintenance.
Both should get major attention several times a year.
But getting back to God's Acre, for years the cemetery sign has become weather beaten and in need of repair. Several attempts to have the matter addressed finally resulted in the new sign being erected several months back. Here are both...
Something has just cropped up that needs my attention, so my planned description of those events and more must be left till next Sunday.
I hope you will again join me then.
cheers,
Bart
I hope you will again join me then.
cheers,
Bart
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