Make a Mod Solar Lamp Trio for the Garden

Make a Mod Solar Lamp Trio for the Garden

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Please Take Time to Memorialize Those Who have Done So Much for Us

General John Logan

This Week in History:
May 29 - June 4, 1868
Memorial Day Proclaimed

May 2011

This week we shift a bit in time, in order to commemorate the founding of the Memorial Day holiday, now celebrated on the nearest Monday, but originally set for May 30, 1868. While many think of this holiday as established by President Woodrow Wilson after the First World War, Wilson's contribution was essentially to expand the scope of the holiday beyond the Civil War dead, to all those who have given their lives in war for our nation.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed for May 30, 1868, on May 5 of that year, by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. While the Grand Army was an organization of veterans of the Civil War, not the official army, it took hold. General Logan's objective, as seen in his proclamation, which we reprint here, was to honor those who had saved the Union, but from the beginning, flowers were strewn on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Following the assassination of President Lincoln, the nation lacked that national leader who could have pulled together a reconciliation policy, politically and economically, that would heal the nation, and thus the period in which this holiday was proclaimed, was rife with unresolved tension from the Civil War.

The full declaration, called General Orders No. 11, ran as follows:

• "I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance. no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will, in their own way, arrange such fitting serves and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

• "We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose amonng other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance.

• "All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

• "If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

• "Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us, in this solemn presence, renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

• "II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

• "III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective."

So Proud of You Brandon

Airman Spotlight: SSgt Brandon H. Parker  Posted 3/25/2014   Updated 3/25/2014  Email story   Print story       Staff Sgt. Brandon Parker, 51st Force Support Squadron force management supervisor, poses for a photo at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 24, 2014. Parker is this week’s Airman Spotlight winner. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Siuta B. Ika) by Staff Reports 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs 3/25/2014 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Unit: 51st Force Support Squadron Job title: Force Management Supervisor Job description and its impact on the overall mission: I supervise and perform personnel activities and functions, including personnel action requests; source documents; unit, field, and master personnel records. I update military personnel data system (MilPDS) records and manage Air Force retention programs (UIFs), assist military personnel in making career decisions, and advise on benefit programs. I also ensure compliance with all appropriate policies, directives, and procedures. War-time mission: PDRF Team member achieving and maintaining 100% personnel accountability of all received and deployed forces "Ready to Fight Tonight." Time in the military: Seven years Time at Osan: Seven months DEROS: Aug. 2015 Family: My father, Ezell Parker; mother Angela White-Parker; and brother Malcolm Parker Hometown: Bellflower, Calif. Hobbies: Honor Guard member, photography, working out, PS4 gamer, and sneaker collector Why did you join the military? I always wanted to join, but was unsure of the military. I tried college, and excelled at it! Then I worked in the mall for a couple of years, working at shoe stores and things of that nature. No one in my direct family was in the military but my recruiter talked me into it. I had known people from high school in the Jr. ROTC and they all advised me to go Air Force as well. I honestly just wanted to serve and get some direction in my life. I came in as open Administrative and have been working as a personnelist for a few years and I am truly happy that I made the decision to join the military, especially the Air Force. Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years? In 10 years I see myself continuing to grow with the Air Force and holding leadership positions that reflect my hard work, commitment and dedication towards the core values. In 20 years see myself retired from the Air Force and enjoying my weekends in my dream house. What do you do for fun here? Watch movies in 4D. What's your favorite Air Force memory or story? Deploying to Africa. What accomplishment are you most proud of? I was part of the Joint Honor Guard detail for the 7th AF annual awards, POW/MIA, and Battle Field ceremonies. I was honored to be collaborate with our sister services and represent the Air Force. Who are your role models? My parents, Michael Jordan and Eric Thomas (the "Hip Hop Preacher")

Sales Retreat in February while Median Prices Edge Higher  

by Madeline Schnapp 

        California single-family home and condominium sales fell 1.4 percent in February 2014 from January and declined 16.1 percent from February 2013.  Last month marked the lowest February sales since 2008.

        “Rapid price increases and rising interest rates in concert with sluggish income and employment growth have slowed demand…” said Madeline Schnapp, Director of Economic Research for PropertyRadar.  “Tougher borrowing standards, elevated prices, increasing borrowing costs and historically low inventory continue to exert a drag on market activity.”

         Despite the decline in sales volume, the February 2014 median price of a California home rose $5,000, or 1.4 percent, to $350,000 from $345,000 in January. On a year-ago basis, median home prices have jumped 21.1 percent.

        “The uptick in median home prices in February means little as seasonal factors continue to impact both sales and prices,” said Schnapp.  “Given the lackluster sales volume, however, median prices are unlikely to see the rapid gains that characterized the first half of 2013.”

         The number of California homeowners with more than 10 percent equity in their homes increased 2.3 percent, or nearly 120,000, in February. 

        “The decline in negative equity is certainly good news,” said Schnapp.  “But, it is important to keep in mind that 1.2 million California homeowners, or 13.9 percent, remain underwater and will continue to create significant headwinds for the California housing market recovery.”

         Institutional Investor LLC and LP purchases gained 1.6 percent for the month but are down 35.4 percent from February 2013.  Despite February’s modest gain, LLC and LP purchases were 50.1 percent below their December 2012 peak.  

         “For more than a year now, institutional investors have been gradually reducing their purchases of California real estate,” said Schnapp.   “Rising prices have reduced the return on investment, making homes less attractive as an investment option.”

          “In sum, the California housing market continues to improve,” said Schnapp, “just more slowly than most analysts expected, given that we are in the fifth year of an economic recovery.”

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Just Filling In

Thank You All

Happy New Year

 

Make it a Fabulous One