Stand up next to you

One of my favorite annual Downey events is the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Downey Cemetery. The format stays the same from year to year, but some things do change. I love to see the veterans standing up to be recognized, although the number of WWII vets has declined considerably since I started coming. I love the 21-gun salute, which was missing this year. I love the speeches and the melancholy sound of Taps at the end of the ceremony. And every year, I love watching the kids from local schools perform.

This year, kids from my alma mater Spencer Elementary School performed one of my favorites, "God Bless the USA".

And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

These kids are standing proud, together with each other and with us, to support our veterans and our country. 

God bless the USA!

Humans of Downey - Charles

From the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Downey Cemetery, May 27, 2019.

"It's hard to play [taps] sometimes because of if you think too much about it, you can easily crack a note or worse. But famously, the bugler that played taps at President Kennedy's funeral cracked a note but no one cared.

"I couldn't play taps for my dad's funeral. I just knew I wouldn't be able to get through it. I had my best friend, Larry, who's a fabulous trumpet player, play it. I've been doing this Memorial Day service in Downey for eleven years. It kind of rolls up on you. It doesn't hit you in the first couple of notes, but once you get going and you start to realize everyone's listening and everyone within themselves is thinking what it means to them. And if you let that get to you, you'll screw it up.

"I played taps for my boss a few years ago. I worked for a company that built trumpets down in Anaheim. When I left, we didn't part on the best of terms, but when he died the family asked me to play at his memorial. I was so grateful that they did. I was playing and handling it alright even though it was a hot dry summer day. I was handling it until I looked up and saw his urn and a large photo of him. That's when I distinctly heard his voice right behind me saying, 'Don't screw it up!' And so I cracked a note. It's hard to separate yourself from that emotion.

"There is an organization called Bugles Across America that is all volunteer. Their mission is to make sure that no vet has a funeral without a taps player."

~ Charles

Halloween 2018

A trend I've noticed for several years is homes that set a table up outside their homes to hand out Halloween candy to the trick-or-treaters. I see the advantages of this setup. Seeing the groups come up to your house. Not having to continuously open and close your door. And in the case of this home, they invited other neighbors to come over and spend the evening. They served dinner and sat around in a circle for good conversation. A great way to make new memories.

How has your Halloween changed through the years?

Patriotic yard art

We just celebrated the Fourth of July, and there is still a lot of patriotic yard art around town. These are a couple of the houses that I pass on my way to work each morning.

"True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth . . .  
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Celebrating Independence Day

This year's July 4th block party had four different bouncers for the kids to celebrate Independence Day. There was this one for the 4-and-under children that is a water slide with a pool at the bottom. Two other slides for the 12-and-younger crowd and a giant water slide for anyone that wanted to try it.



Lots of food and beverages were served during the afternoon. After dark, the celebration turned to fireworks. Families gathered together to let the children experience holding a various-colored lighted stick.



The big kids (adult men) light bigger, brighter, and more exciting fountains. One family went to a fireworks stand and bought the rest of their inventory (well over $1,000). That's the residue of the excitement on the street below the fireworks platform. The crowd was entertained and the celebration was complete.

Support your favorite cause

It's July, so it's officially fireworks fundraiser season. The fireworks stands are all open now, waiting for the onslaught. This stand in front of the Ralph's market is sponsored by the Downey Rose Float Association.

Burning the midnight oil

We are only a few days away from the Fourth of July and fireworks stands are set up all around Downey. Driving past this stand, I saw this group who almost looks like they are out camping, I have to imagine each of the stands have groups camped out to watch over the them at night.

It wasn't midnight when I took the pic, but it made me think of the phrase to burn the midnight oil. I was curious to know where the phrase came from so I looked it up in Wictionary. The phrase originally referred to the act of burning oil in lamps for light and safety. This group definitely had everything well lit, but I hope they don't have to stay awake all night.

Instant messaging

On my way home on the 105 freeway, I spotted this message on the SUV in front of me: "Love you dad. Have a great day at work.". What a sweet message for this dad. With this being Father's Day weekend, I thought the message was even more special.

"A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be."
~ Unknown

Father's Day plans

This Sunday is Father's Day. What plans do you have? Does it include the family gathering around a table for a meal? or swimming in the backyard? or a day at the ballpark? I hope your dad feels honored this Sunday whatever you do. Even if it's calling him long distance.

Don't forget to set a place for your little ones.

"I think my mom put it best. She said, 'Little girls soften their daddy's hearts.'" 
~ Paul Walker

The greatest generations

The "greatest generation," a term popularized by the book of the same name by Tom Brokaw, is often used to refer to those who came of age during World War II. But those men and women are certainly not the only generation in attendance at this year's Memorial Day Ceremony at the Downey Cemetery.

One part of the ceremony that I always appreciate is the roll call of veterans. The roll call starts with those who served in World War II (there are fewer every year), continues through the Korean and Viet Nam wars, and ends with the various wars in the Middle East through the continuing conflict in Afghanistan. And for each one, men and women from each new generation stand to be recognized and honored for their service, past and present.

I love the USA

Students from the ASPIRE programs at Lewis and Alameda Elementary Schools performed at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Downey Cemetery. First, they sang "American Tears," by Teresa Jennings. The kids were appropriately solemn as they sang these words:

For the heroes. For the patriots.
For the soldiers. For all the pioneers.
I will always be an American.
And I’ll always cry American tears.

And then they sang "God Bless the USA," by Lee Greenwood. Its upbeat tune and chorus had everyone smiling—and taking pictures.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA.

Ready, aim...

The Memorial Day Ceremony at the Downey Cemetery is sponsored by the American Legion Post 270. The American Legion is a volunteer organization chartered by Congress in 1919, and is "committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans."

The Legion has a long history of accomplishments. Here are just a few of the significant dates and events, from the history page on their website:

• Aug. 9, 1921
  The Legion's efforts result in the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Administration. Today, the Legion continues to lobby for adequate funding to cover medical, disability, education and other benefits for veterans.
• Sept. 19-21, 1942: Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion is changed for the first and only time since it was written in 1919.  The word “War” is changed to “Wars.”
• Dec. 15, 1943
  Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery starts to write in longhand, on Mayflower Hotel stationery in Washington, the first draft of what will later become the "GI Bill of Rights" – considered the Legion's single greatest legislative achievement. Higher education becomes democratized after 8 million veterans go to school on the GI Bill, get better jobs, buy houses in the suburbs and raise families.
• Aug. 26, 1982
  The Legion presents a $1 million check to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for construction of the Wall in Washington, becoming the largest single contributor to the project.

Today, the Legion has over 2 million members worldwide. But local membership is declining, and there are no longer 7 volunteers for the traditional "21-gun" rifle salute. These four volunteers are Michael Murray (US Army), Richard Tuttle (Downey Police Dept), Johnny Croshaw (USMC), and Dean Wright (USAF).

In gratitude, in sorrow

On this Memorial Day, I once again attended the Memorial Day Ceremony that is held at the Downey Cemetery each year. There is much to be moved by at each year's ceremony. But to me, the quote on this wall is always meaningful: "In gratitude to those who served ... in sorrow for those who lost their lives." In the stone's reflection, you can see the crowd that has gathered to remember and honor those who have served their country.

In the other direction, you can see the grave markers. And if you look closely, you'll also see the white crosses and American flags that mark the graves of the servicemen and women who are buried here. Many of the crosses have gone missing over the years, and for the past two years, a couple of local Explorer Scouts have made it their project to replace and restore them—a fitting project for the holiday originally known as Decoration Day.

He is risen!

Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday, is when we, as Christians, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. This holiday is referred to by Wikipedia as a moveable feast because it doesn't always fall on the same day each year.

Since Easter falls on April 1st this year, we also share the day with April Fools Day. Known for a day to "fool" people, there are a number of stories of fooling the public. According to History, in 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain, duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich.

Celebrate the luck of the Irish

Music, dancing and a whole lot of green...that and more will be happening tonight at Joseph's Grill in downtown Downey. I spoke with one of the managers this afternoon and he listed off an amazing number of performances and events going on in celebration of Saint Paddy's Day this evening.





“Yeah, it's St. Paddy's Day. Everyone's Irish tonight."
~ quote from the Boondock Saints

New Year's aftermath

I've had the sniffles for the last couple of days, so my New Year's celebration this year was pretty much limited to seeing these balloons in my local Stater Brothers supermarket. Thankfully, the crowds that filled the parking lot yesterday had disappeared by this afternoon, so that I could restock my refrigerator in peace.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday as we celebrate it today was first proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. You can read his proclamation here. President Lincoln thought it was proper for the nation to give God thanks for His provision and protection. Even in the midst of a civil war, our economy was strong and no foreign state had used our vulnerability to attack us. God truly had blessed America.

“Eucharisteo—thanksgiving—always precedes the miracle.”
~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Pancakes

If you get there early enough, you can beat the crowds at IHOP. For Veterans Day this year, IHOP gave out complimentary pancakes to honor the service of our veterans and active military men and women.

Humans of Downey - Michael

"For our 4th of July tradition, we have always celebrated it with a block party. I’ve lived in that neighborhood all my life and only one year, the year we went and celebrated it at the beach, did we not celebrate it with a block party. The neighbors were really upset with us that year.

"Another year, my cousin thought a mortar firework was a smoke bomb. He thought it would be a great prank to light it and toss it over by me. I saw it coming out of the corner of my eye. I turned just as it exploded and shot around the room. Luckily, it didn’t do any damage in the house. But he was certainly embarrassed. Being family, we did allow him back into the house."

~ Michael

Humans of Downey - Gilbert

"My grandmother came here first and then my mother followed. I was born here and lived my first years in West Los Angeles. Our 4th of July celebrations centered around family, food, and fireworks. Our family loved to celebrate the freedoms of our country. We celebrated with the community of our block. We shared barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad. Then we would set off our collection of fireworks. We kids would run and jump over the fountains of sparks. No one ever got hurt.

"One 4th of July I spent the whole evening at the hospital because of my daughter. I was in charge of setting off the fireworks in the street. So, I had a punk that I was using to light the fuses and I was keeping it in my mouth sideways. It looked like a rose in my mouth. My 4-year-old daughter came running out to be with me as I was getting another firework ready to light. I was kneeling down and as she called my name, I turned around and the lighted punk stabbed her in the corner of her eye. At that point, 4th of July was over.

"We poured water on her face to stop the burning and then took her to the hospital. After many hours, they patched her eye and sent us home. She couldn't sleep during the night so we took her back to the hospital. They found and removed the tip of the punk that was still in the corner of her eye. She recovered completely. But for several years I refused to have anything to do with fireworks. We still had the barbecues but the only fireworks we saw were at the Queen Mary. Finally I relented and we had fireworks at the house. But only after a 30-minute talk with my children concerning the dangers of fireworks and the rules they had to follow to stay outside. I put a strip of caution tape they were not allowed past. Each year I give that speech, put up that tape and remind them of how easy serious accidents can happen in dangerous circumstances. Most of the day is filled with fun, eating, and community. The fireworks part of the celebration, though, is no longer the joy of watching the pretty colors and hearing the pops. Now, it's filled with stress of watching to make sure no kids get too close to harm."

~ Gilbert

PS Gilbert works at Avenue Press and was kind enough to take time out to talk with me. Stop in and have a chat some time to get to know him better.