May 30, 1868, was the first official Memorial Day ceremony. Originally called Decoration Day, it was held at Arlington National Cemetery, where 16,000 Civil War soldiers had been buried. Rep. James Garfield, a former major general, and eventual 20th U.S. president, gave the commemorative speech, stating, “What other spot so fitting for their last resting place as this under the shadow of the Capitol saved by their valor?”
Arlington National Cemetery was laid out on the grounds surrounding Arlington House, the home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. It was purchased by the U.S. government in 1864, and established as a national cemetery later that year. A bridge built in 1932 across the Potomac River connects the White House grounds and Lincoln Memorial to Arlington House and the National Cemetery. The president’s proposed triumphal arch would be built on the Virginia side of the river, framing a view of Arlington House, while obscuring the Lincoln Memorial when looking toward the Capitol.
A bit of national history for the holiday weekend. For more, read Heather Cox Richardson’s May 23 “Letters from an American.”
Our holiday weather has been rainy and cool, hardly conducive to beach time or a parade. I had all of my errands and shopping done by Friday, so I could stay home, away from the crowds. Fortunately, the rain has been soft, nice for gardening or reading on the porch, so it’s been a lovely weekend to be quietly homebound.
I attended Jennelle Gadowski’s program about wildfire preparedness and prevention at the library last week. Jennelle is West Tisbury’s director of emergency management. Her talk gave everyone attending plenty to think about, and to do. We were encouraged to have a plan for family members and for pets, including go-bags ready near the door with important documents, medical records, medication, food, and water for people and pets, clean clothes, etc.
Some simple things to remember to reduce risk around your house: Clean gutters and porches, and under stairs; keep leaves, pine needles, debris, and wood piles away from the house; keep grills at least 10 feet away from the house, and away from low branches and shrubbery; never toss cigarette butts or any smoking materials in dry vegetation, mulch, or brush.
I remember one summer when there were several fires caused by grills on wooden porches and decks, even one where somebody tossed burning coals from their grill into a paper bag, then left it on the wooden deck.
Dukes County has a system of free emergency alerts that everyone can sign up for. Phone: 774-563-6110, or online at dukescounty-ma.myfreealerts.com. There is also information on the town website, westtisbury-ma.gov.
Lest you think you have to clear-cut your yard to mitigate fire danger, I have met an ecological horticulturist and wildfire policy analyst who recommends a well-irrigated residential landscape that contains plants with significant internal moisture. Granted, she works in California in an urban setting, but the principles should still apply. Her website is dianaznicole.com.
At the library, the M.V. Community Seed Library annual seedling swap is this Saturday, May 30, 10 am to noon. A five-week series of ukulele lessons with Andy Herr begins Saturday at 10:30 am; sign up at wt_mail@clamsnet.org. On Wednesday, June 3, kids are invited to an IGI program, “Soil Superheroes” at 3:30 pm; kids will learn how worms and insects help our soil.
Don’t forget the Island-wide MVRHS building project vote on Tuesday, June 2, at the Public Safety Building, 11 am to 7 pm. It’s important. Vote!