Saturday 9

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Welcome to Saturday 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Battle Hymn of the Republic (1963)

Unfamiliar with Judy Garland's rendition of this week's tune? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. 

1) On May 30, 1868, President Grant presided over the Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery. Have you ever visited Arlington Cemetery?

I have visited our nation's capital many times, both on business and as a tourist.  During the summer of 2009 we took a tour of Arlington.

A view of the cemetery with the Lee-Custis House  in the background.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The gravesite of JFK

2) On Memorial Day, it is customary to fly the flag at half-staff until noon and then raise it to the top of the staff until sunset. Will you be flying the flag at your home this weekend?

We don't have a flagpole, so, no...


3) Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, because flowers and ribbons were left on graves of soldiers.  Do you find solace in visiting cemeteries?

I enjoy visiting historical cemeteries, like Arlington.  

Family cemeteries...well, it gives me a sense of family, of roots...


4) The lyrics to this week's song were written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861. Her inspiration was a White House visit with Abraham Lincoln. In 2020, public tours of the White House are available but you must request your ticket in advance from your Member of Congress (House or Senate). When you travel, do you plan your trip weeks before you go? Or do you decide how your days will unfold once you reach your destination?

Oh, we are definitely planners.  I've never been inside the White House, but many of the museums in DC require advance planning.  And the same holds true for many other locations.



5) Judy Garland performed this week's song before a live audience as a tribute to President Kennedy, who had been assassinated just weeks before. She knew Kennedy personally and considered this a farewell to a friend. While the performance was difficult for her -- at one point she flubs the lyrics -- she believed it was important, and could perhaps help the country heal. Tell us about a song that reminds you of someone you loved who is no longer with us.


Judy was amazing, wasn't she?

The song I want to talk about...

In the 1960's it seemed like every  Jewish family owned a copy of the cast album from Fiddler on the Roof.  The music from that show was played at every bar mitzvah and wedding.    I can't hear "To Life" without remembering some of those parties.

So when I got married, in 1987, it just seemed right that the song for my father/daughter dance was "Sunrise, Sunset", the song played during the wedding scene in Fiddler. So when I hear it I think of my father.

6) John F. Kennedy served in WWII and was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps medal and a Purple Heart. His brother Joe also served and was awarded the Navy Cross, but he received his citation posthumously, having died during a flying mission over East Suffolk, England. Here at Saturday 9, we consider everyone who serves a hero and want to hear about the veterans and active military members in your life.

My father, of blessed memory, was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served in Italy at the tail end of WW II. Here he is with his mother.

He died at age 88, and the Army  sent an honor guard to the funeral. The Army never forgets.

7) Memorial Day is considered the beginning of the summer season. Will you be enjoying warm weather this weekend?

Yes, the weather should be nice around here.  Maybe some rain on Saturday.


8) Berries are especially popular in summer. Which is your favorite: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries?




9) If you could attend a Memorial Day picnic with any fictional character, which would you choose?

Ooooohhhhh...just one?

How about Jaxom, the Lord of Ruatha on Pern?  He is an interesting blend of intellectual curiosity, bravery, humor and compassion. And I'd love to ride his dragon, Ruth.