Group 1
Question: When and why do we celebrate Memorial Day?
Memorial Day
The United States celebrates Memorial Day annually on the last Monday of May. Also known as Decoration
Day, this holiday honors those who have died during military service for the United States. It is casually
considered the start of summer.
Most celebrations take place at cemeteries, especially United States National cemeteries, which usually contain
military personnel graves and sometimes their spouses. Well known National Cemeteries include the Arlington
National Cemetery outside of Washington D.C., the Golden Gate National Cemetery in California and the Fort
Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota.
There are many traditions that Americans honor in commemoration of Memorial Day. They may fly the
American flag, visit memorial cemeteries, and place flags in the graves of fallen soldiers. Also, many observers
decorate the military graves to honor them. Despite this theme, many celebrations are joyous in nature, such as
picnics, fireworks, concerts, gatherings and parties, memorials, and attendance of professional sport games.
Many citizens retreat to vacation spots for the weekend or hold barbeques. Most schools and offices will shut
down in commemoration.
A famous Memorial Day ceremony takes place at Gettysburg National Park every year since 1868, featuring a
Memorial Day address. At the park in 1913, both Union and Confederate veterans gathered for the 50 year
anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Other traditions include raising the flag to full staff and then lowering to half-staff, then raising it again at noon.
This is symbolic of raising the soldiers' memory. In Washington D.C. on the capitol's west lawn, the National
Memorial Day Concert is held, which is broadcast on PBS and NPR. Parades are held in small and large cities
alike, which feature marching bands and a procession of servicemen and veterans. The Indianapolis 500 is held
in honor of Memorial Day along with the Coca-Cola 600. Another popular event is the Memorial Tournament, a
golf tournament held in Ohio.
Group 2:
Question: By what name was Memorial Day known when the first Memorial Day
Order (General Order No. 11) was issued?
In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor
should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves.
In the Spring of 1866, he again mentioned this subject to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk.
General Murray embraced the idea and a committee was formulated to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead.
Townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were made for each veteran's
grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast and draped with evergreen boughs and mourning black
streamers.
On May 5, 1866, civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans
marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by
General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated on May 5, 1867.
The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander
of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was General Order No. 11 establishing "Decoration Day" as it was
then known. The date of the order was May 5, 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance. That
year Waterloo joined other communities in the nation by having their ceremony on May 30.
In 1965, a committee of community leaders started plans for the Centennial Celebration of Memorial Day. The
committee consisted of VFW Commander James McCann, chairman, American Legion Commander Oliver J.
McFall and Mayor Marion DeCicca, co-chairman, along with Village Trustees, M. Lewis Somerville, Roscoe
Bartran, Richard Schreck, Tony DiPronio, and VFW Vice-Commander, Kenneth Matoon. Their goals were: "to
obtain national recognition of the fact that Waterloo is the birthplace of Memorial Day through Congressional
action" and "to plan and execute a proper celebration for such centennial observance."
In May of 1966, just in time for the Centennial, Waterloo was recognized as the "Birthplace of Memorial Day"
by the United States Government. This recognition was long in coming and involved hours of painstaking
research to prove the claim. While other communities may claim earlier observances of honoring the Civil War
dead, none can claim to have been so well planned and complete, nor can they claim the continuity of
observances that Waterloo can.
The Centennial Celebration that year brought dignitaries from government, military, veteran's organizations and
descendants of the original founders of Memorial Day. A once luxurious home on Waterloo's Main Street, built
in 1850, was purchased from the county and restored. Now the Memorial Day Museum, it houses artifacts of
the first Memorial Day and the Civil War era.
Memorial Day is commemorated each year in Waterloo. The parade, speeches, and solemn observances keep
the meaning of Memorial Day as it was originally intended to be.
Group 3:
When the U.S. flag is properly folded what shape is it?
As an Army and Navy custom, the flag is lowered daily at the last note of retreat. Special care should be taken
that no part of the flag touches the ground. The Flag is then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat,
emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and
white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.
This custom of special folding is reserved for the United States Flag alone.
How to fold the Flag
Step 1
To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another
person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
Step 2
Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars,
holding the bottom and top edges securely.
Step 3
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
Step 4
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to
meet the open (top) edge of the flag.
Step 5
Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a
second triangle.
Step 6
The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is
folded in this manner.
Step 7
When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars
should be visible.
Group 4:
In which war was the greatest number of American soldiers killed?
Years
Location
Killed
Wounded
1775-1783 (1)
Revolutionary War
25324
8445
1812-1815
War of 1812
2260
4505
1846-1848
Mexican War
13283
32
1861-1865 (2)
Civil War, North
363,020
281,104
1861-1865 (2)
Civil War, South
199110
137102
1898
Spanish American War
2893
1637
1917-1918
World War I
116708
204002
1941-1945
World War II
408306
670846
1950-1953
Korean War
54246
103284
1957-1975
Vietnam War
58219 (4)
153356
2001, Sept 11
World Trade Center
Operation Enduring
Freedom,
Total to date, 2012
Afghanistan
Theater
2003-2012
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq
4,452
2,974 Total
2,114
COMBAT/ATTACKS
United States 4486
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Question 5:
On what date did Sergeant Weldon McCoy Barr record in his diary the signing of
the armistice that ended WWI?
Ordnance Sergeant Weldon M. Barr U.S. Army
Below is a diary Dad kept in a pocket notebook
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Sept. 3, 1918 At camp Ripton, New York. Prepared to leave all day and had big campfire until time to leave at
11:00 p.m. Marched to train and left for the port.
Sept. 4, 1918 Arrived at Song O Island City 4:00 a.m.. Took ferry to Hoboken and boarded the transport
Siboney.Given hot coffee and sandwiches by redcross.
Sept. 5, 1918 On board all day and quartered on E deck down in the hold. At 8:00 p.m. two government tugs
appeared and in 2 hours we pulled right past the statue of Libery. A memorable night.
Sept. 6, 1918 At sea and sick-O Lord how sick. Three transports and a destroyer.- Windy
Sept. 7, 1918 Monday Still coming up - sea rough
Sept 8, 1918 Tuesday I feel better today but dizzy
Sept. 9, 1918 Wed. I ate a little dinner and feel more like myself this afternoon - Mother’s Bir
Sept. 10, 1918 Thursday Had target practice and our convoy left us. Sea calm and weather warm
Sept. 11, 1918 Friday Feeling fine, day warm, nothing new but everybody in better spirits. Big night on E deck
after abondon ship drill No convoy
Oct. 12, 1918 Saturday Sighted small sailboat. First since we left U.S. Fair weather without convoy
Oct. 13, 1918 Sunday Foggy all day long and traveled slow Met convoy of 6 American destroyers Good time on
E deck at ni
Oct 14, 1918 Monday 5 more destroyers joined us making 11 in all.
Oct. 15, 1918 Tuesday sub drill at 5 a.m. as usual sighted land at 6 a.m. dropped anchor at 10 a.m. left ship in
lighters at 2 p.m. 15 min. later landed at brest mud 3 inches deep, marched up hill ½ mile to camp. Bought
nuts from kids People very poor and ragged wearing wooden shoes, houses poor hillstone. More American
than French. Wonderful buildings by American eng at docks. Many German prisoners guarded by Colored
troops. Arrived at camp at 6 p.m. raining hard.Mud deep.Pitch pup tent with Boursiau. Went to bed in mud.
Called out at 2 a.m. and given 2 more blankets to help from freezing
Oct. 16, 1918 Wed. Camp is inside of a high wood hedge with brazor growing out of it. Very pretty at first. Had
to go two miles for water.
Oct.17, Thursday Still raining, mud deeper. Drank some good wine and went to bed in mud in pup tent
Oct. 18,1918 Friday Had charge of three platoon to take down pup tents and put down large squad tents.
more rain, tents did not arsin until 5:30 p.m.
Weldon is second from left.
Oct. 19,1918 Saturday Drank some star that Tookey went over the top to get. Came back loaded and gave us
all a hoot.. The wild Irishman.
Oct. 20, 1918 Sunday Went with detail of 110 men down to work on docks. Got up at 4:30 a.m. marched 7
miles to docks worked all day and got back at 8 p.m.
Oct 21, 1918 Monday Sergeant of guard from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. no rest. Orders to leave camp in morning.
Oct. 22. 1918 Tuesday Revellie at 2 a.m. .broke camp. Started for train - 7 miles at 5 a.m. had a memorable
side down side streets to get ahead of marching column. Reminded me of stories of the black knight Boarded
train of boxcars. Each car marked 34 men or 8 hores Varconcelos had charge of car . I had charge of grub.
Pulled out at 5 a.m.. Passed through some very pretty country.
Oct 23, 1918 Wednesday Passed many beautiful towns and interesting sights. Lots of vineyards.
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Oct.24, 1918 Thursday Camp Bauvoir Arrived at camp near Mehune and went to warehouse where we
bunked.
Oct.25,1918 Friday Around camp all day and got fixed up. Had my hair cut for first time since I left U.S.
Oct. 26, 1918 Still Leut. Housors Orderly. So went down to barracks and had a real hot bath . first hot bath
since I left. Pitts. And first cold one since I left Hancock. Had a big feed at farm house att… Baousseau Serg.
Rocke, Sitby, Kelly, & Abb. Sons feed 6 fr. piece
Oct. 27, 1918 Sunday Went to Mehune had supper at Jig Jag. Saw house where Joan of Arc lived. And many
other sights.
Oct. 28, 1918 Monday Inspected a whole car of salvaged rifles to see if any are loaded
Oct.29,1918 Tuesday Went to Mehune at 10:30 a.m. with Hickman and Neeby and saw the town. Went up in a
tower of an old castle built in 1403 over rock high 125 winding steps. Had supper at Jig Jag and cocoa and
cake at Y
Oct. 30, 1918 Wednesday Leut. Houser left today for Tours, my days of bliss are over and I will have to go to
work. Went to town with his bagage and stayed all day.. Had supper at Jig Jag.Some kid. Attened a meeting
of masons at the Y about 100 there officers and men . Served cocoa and apple pie Good time, talk on Nice
Marshall Foch and General Pershing at Chaumont-American ?H?
Nov. 6, 1918 Wednesday Office and payroll work. Rained hard all day and night
Nov.7, 1918 Thursday Transferred to wood working shop. Laying out work for cutters. My little Portugese
friend Sirphin Sylvia was transferred. To Di Joan today. I miss him, as he was my buddy. Went to Y.M. for
chocolate and biscuits.
Nov. 8, 1918 Friday S.O.S. and rain with a very pretty sunrise Got paid 41 ½ f
Nov. 9, 1918 Saturday Rain. Start4d to make hat out of shell yesterday
Nov.10 Sunday Nice day but cold. Capt. Moore held us out in the field while other officers searched our
quarters for souveniers. Take all they could find. Moved into barracks in the afternoon.
November 11, 1918 Monday Braussean and I celebrated the victory in Mehun. The town went wild -so did we.
This is the Boat that brought me back to God's Country- Weldon The Armistice was signed at 5 A.M. The last
German fired at 11 A.M.
Question 6:
About how many U.S. women veterans are there?
Welcome to the home of the skeptical, irascible, doubting, iconoclastic Captain Critical, aka Captain Barb,
whose pontificating will try to amuse, bemuse, irritate and generally annoy anyone bold enough to stay long
enough to read the ramblings of a self appointed distaff critic who will continue to remind you that women
are veterans too!
Did you know that there are almost two million women veterans? From the American Revolution to Panama,
Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq , women have served in some way in every conflict. Not that they were
legal in the early days. History tells us that thirty three thousand women served in World War One and almost
500,000 took part in World War Two. During the Korean era 120,000 women were in uniform and seven
thousand were deployed in theater during Viet Nam. During Desert Storm seven per cent of the total U.S.
forces deployed were women - over forty thousand of them. On these pages you will find the history and
accomplishments of those women who have served this country - voluntarily - since it's beginning.
Question 7:
Who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington,
D.C?
This gallery contains pictures and stories of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Known
simply as "The Wall," this monument is one of the most visited sites in the city of Washington.
After watching the film "The Deer Hunter" in 1979, Vietnam Veteran Jan C. Scruggs first conceived of
the idea for a Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A Yale architectural student, Maya Lin, submitted the
winning design.
"The Wall" was built in Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C., through private donations from the
public, and dedicated in 1982.
This Gallery also contains images and text about the Vietnam Women's Memorial that stands near "The
Wall" and honors the military and civilian women who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War.
Some of their names are with their brothers' on "The Wall."
Diane Carlson Evans, RN, is the founder of this Memorial project. She served in the Army Nurse Corps
from 1966 to 1972 and was in Vietnam from 1968-69. The sculptor is Glenna Goodacre, who created the
Women's Memorial in bronze.
The Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated over Veterans Day weekend of November 10-12, 1993.
Question 8:
According to St. Augustine, what is the purpose of all war?
Saint Augustine (354-430)
The purpose of all war is peace.
Menachem Begin (1913-)
No more wars, no more bloodshed. Peace unto you. Shalom, salaam, forever.
On signing the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, Washington, D.C. (March 26, 1979)
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (1841-1935)
I think that, as life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his
time at peril of being judged not to have lived. Memorial Day Address (1884)