In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season.
Some Americans use Memorial Day to also honor any family members who have died, not just servicemen.
TO READ THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY CLICK HERE.
The Bakers have quite a tradition of remembering family members who have died. We all have them, that's for sure. We remember them. We miss them. We love them. We forgive them. Maybe we even have a better understanding of them now that we're older. We admire them. We have regrets. We wish we had said more. We wish we had said less. We look forward to that mysterious day when we meet them again. God bless them and God bless us as we carry on in their name, perfect or imperfect, as we are all children of God. - Patricia
MEMORIAL DAY THOUGHTS BY AMY D.
When I was a teenager (with both glasses and braces) as well as when I was just newly married (before children), I usually was able to make the trek to the Memorial Day family reunion from Chicago area. I vaguely remember a card game on the back porch dining room of Memaw (Alice Wilson’s) home. She had souvenir plates from each state on the wall.
Then there were reunions up at the Bridge. Natural Bridge, of course, with enough food to feed about 100 folks but it seemed like about 40 showed up. There was lots of food . . . baked ham, fried chicken, potato salad, and various forms of layered dishes and desserts. At first, intimidated by my lack of cooking, I was later able to bring Hillshire farm BBQ little wieners or some other nitrate flavored meat when Warren worked in Cincinnati.
As my kids, Matt, Anna, and Becca grew up; I noticed that Warren and I would maneuver for position when it came to who was going to make the walk up to the Bridge. Warren never forced me if I was pregnant because there would have been many potty emergencies. I remember a few years when I was sure Matt was gonna take a nose dive off the high sandy ledge. It was always so green up there. And much shorter coming down than going up. I always liked to lag and talk with the heavy breathers in the back of the line. Warren did actually cop out and buy lift ticket up more than one year.
Sometimes, after the big lunch at the bridge or usually before, there would be the visit to the Stanton grave yard. Everyone would make sure that there were flowers at ALL the family graves. Later, I found out that this was also the time that the cemetery would take donations for grave care. I remember Uncle Richard sitting under that welcoming tent and talking with everyone like he was related to them. Well, come to think of it maybe he was.
I was never scared or freaked out at the cemetery. This was a family reunion, too (just a lot quieter). I remember telling my kids not to sit or lean on the stones and to walk around the body plots. Then, I gave up and just enjoyed the idea that they were laughing and running and dancing with my Kentucky ancestors at another kind of Memorial Day picnic. - Amy D.
MEMORIAL DAY TRADITIONS BY MARY ELLEN (NANNIE)
For many years, our Memorial Day celebration has included a visit to the Stanton Cemetery and a picnic at Natural Bridge with as many of the Rileys/Bakers as could make the trip. The day included many events - placing flowers at the graves, hiking up to the bridge, and throwing rocks in the river. But every year there was one happening that stood out from the rest. Do you know what it was? Yes, it's that cherished tradition of the Riley siblings getting lost and confused on their way to the picnic area. It always starts out so hopeful. We are leaving the cemetery, piling into our various cars and mini-vans. "Who's leading?" one might call out. "I'll be in front," is the reply. Secretly I know we are doomed, but I smile and get into my parents' van. We all turn around and head back onto the Mountain Parkway. Here's the exit... everything is still going smoothly... But wait, is it right or left? The park entrance? The resort entrance? Oh, the picnic area... Oh no, two entrances... Is it the first? No... The second? No... Oh wait - it was the second! Too late! Is there a third? A turn-around point? Are Joe and Mike still behind us? Kenny? My mother's voice gets higher and higher each second. By this time I am sick to my stomach. Why does this happen every year?
Then one time, I came prepared. I had a small sheet of paper and a pen, and when we finally arrived at the picnic site (after all the traditional zig-zagging and backtracking), I wrote down the exact, correct directions and stuck them in my wallet. A year later, too pregnant with my first child to make the trip, I handed them over to my mother, hoping they might come in handy. Maybe they used them that year, maybe not... but I haven't seen them since. I guess the Rileys just like their traditions.
Hope to see you all at the reunion. Don't get lost!
I remember going to Stanton on Memorial Day weekend and meeting up with the whole family at Aunt Alice's house. It was so important to the female adults in the family to have flowers for all the graves. They would be lounging around at the house in slacks or shorts; but when it was time to go to the cemetery they changed into dresses like they were going to church. My generation didn't keep the tradition of dressing up for the cemetery but a great lot of us think it's still important to have flowers for all the graves. Some of us buy arrangements and some of us bring flowers from our back yards. It's a time to reflect and remember. Sometimes there is a sad moment and the next thing you know we remember something that brings a smile.
- Patricia
I used to look forward to our trips to Aunt Alice's house as a child. Anytime I could be with my cousins was great fun even if it meant dressing up and hanging out at the cemetery. We would walk along the road and eat honeysuckle on the way to the cemetery and at some point during the weekend we would make a trip to the Southern Treat to get a chocolate malt. There was always lots of good food and my brother (Gary) would eat too much sometimes and get car sick on the way home!!
I continued to take my mother to the cemetery long after Aunt Alice moved from her house. Even after Alzheimer's set in, mother could still remember the significance of Memorial Day and putting flowers on the grave. It was never really something I understood but I find myself now still making the trip once a year. I usually make an arrangement from silk flowers and pack up the kids and sometimes my brother Steve goes with me. Our trip always includes a stop at Bruin's for a hamburger or chili dog (although they are not as good as they used to be) and an Ale 8. While we are at the cemetery I share memories with my kids while we eat honeysuckle and they are really glad they don't have to dress up! - Pam
Memorial Day Pics
at Natural Bridge and Stanton Cemetary
Memorial Day Picnic, 1969, in Alice's yard in Stanton
(notice the women are all wearing dresses)
(notice the women are all wearing dresses)
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