On Memorial Day I look for stories of the honor and goodness of people, especially my fellow Americans. It is my best antidote to the daily news.
This year I scheduled one of my shifts as a Rose Garden Docent at The Huntington1 for last Monday--May 25-- Memorial Day. On the display table, I gathered a collection of roses with the theme of Memorial Day from over 1400 rose varieties surrounding me. The caption above names the roses from left to right. Here are some of their stories.
America was introduced in 1976 for the US Bicentennial. (orange-pink fragrant climber)
Memorial Day is part of the flower displays at Arlington Cemetery and often planted at Veteran’s Centers and Memorial gardens. (distinctive scalloped petals, strong damask scent, medium pink color)
Firefighter was named for the firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 attacks. A portion of the sales went to fund the Remember Me Rose Garden in Shanksville, PA near the United Flight 93 crash site. (Tall, dark red, strong fruity musk scent)
Flaming Peace and Peace and Harmony are both progeny of the famous rose saved from the Meilland Rose Gardens in France during WWII and released in 1945 in the United States under the name “Peace.”
In June 1945, at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco, every delegate was presented with a Peace rose and a note hoping the flower would influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace.
Eighty years later, the “Peace” rose has been very successful, but sadly its message continues as only an aspirational thought.
One of the traditions my husband and I observed on Memorial Days was watching the HBO movie, “Taking Chance.”2 The film traces the journey of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (portrayed by Kevin Bacon) as he escorts the fallen Marine, Chance Phelps, from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware across the country to his family’s cemetery plot in Dubois, Wyoming. I hadn’t known that a military Escort accompanies the remains of all fallen military personnel from the original mortuary to final destination, the respect is profound.
This journey of taking Chance across the country, taking him home, becomes extraordinary for Strobl as he observes the dignified appreciation and tenderness people show the flag covered casket and the sacrifice of the young deceased American it carries. A Korean War veteran tells Strobl, “You are his witness now; without a witness, they [the fallen] would just disappear.”
Watching, I felt both inspired and convicted by that simple statement. We must all be witnesses, we need memorial days, we need to remember. The film is not just about one war, but the universal themes of honor, sacrifice, gratitude and loss. Rewatching the film also makes me wonder how much America has changed in the last 20 years, or the last 10 years, and would the response be the same. I want so much to believe it would, that as a people we haven’t changed that much.
This year my sister and I rewatched the film together, 100 miles apart, sharing our thoughts and common values by text. It was poignant because my sister is a generous outgoing woman whose speaking voice has been stolen by the cruel disease ALS, weakening and then isolating her with the loss of her primary way of caring and connecting with others and the world. I am grateful this year we could share this film together. There are so many ways to live a brave life.
I’m dedicating this post to my husband Bernie Weinraub who died in 2016. He was a fine man, a scholar and teacher of American History and government. Like his students, I learned so much about my country listening to stories I had never heard. He could make our history come alive like a beautiful tapestry, always honest and unflinching with truth.
The Huntington is located in San Marino, California and was founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, it supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections. By cultivating dynamic scholarship, creating innovative programs for students and lifelong learners, and sharing its extraordinary resources, The Huntington invites all on a journey of discovery, insight, and connection. https://www.huntington.org
“Taking Chance” (2009) The film can be rented on Amazon Prime.
"There are so many ways to live a brave life." An especally moving line in a moving post, Leslie. The way you and your sister were able to connect while watching that film is impressive.
All these wonderful people expressing my thoughts: A beautiful post and loving tribute to Bernie.