Wreaths Across America

Arlington National Cemetery - photo by James Varhegyi

A few weeks ago, I wrote a little piece on a wonderful organization called "Wreaths Across America". I belong to El Toyon Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and on December 13th we participated in the wreath laying ceremonies at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine, California. Yesterday, the lady who took photos, gifted me with some to remember the occasion. The article appeared on my other blog - The Educated Graveyard Rabbit, but it was such a great experience I want to share it with you here on this blog.

San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Gustine, California

The Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard at Sharpe Depot conducted the services.

Yes, that's me on the right.

My stepfather - Lyle Dean Hartley

Past Regent for El Toyon Chapter NSDAR

Husband of El Toyon NSDAR chapter member

REMEMBER the fallen
HONOR those who serve
TEACH our children the value of Freedom

This is the motto of Wreaths Across America, a nationwide project, started by one man who simply wanted to show his remembrance for fallen soldiers.
The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays.
Humbled with a new understanding about the impact the Arlington Wreath Project has made, not only in honoring the dead, but recognizing the sacrifices of the living, Morrill Worcester - President of Worcester Wreath Company committed himself to doing more, by reaching out across the country.
On Saturday, December 13th, along with members of El Toyon Chapter NSDAR, I went to the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine, California to attend the wreath laying ceremony. It was a very moving experience. We laid wreaths on the graves of my step-father Lyle Dean Hartley, a past regent of El Toyon Chapter NSDAR Esther Bonta and the husband of a chapter member Milton Farley.

A little about San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery - In 1989, the Romero Ranch Company donated land to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the creation of a National Cemetery. The first phase developed 105 acres of the land, and was completed in May 1992, giving enough space for the interment of over 20,000 remains.There is a small military museum on site, which has exhibits of uniforms, medals, and other memorabilia.

The California Korean War Veterans Memorial, erected in 1998. It consists of 16 five foot tall granite monoliths arranged in a circle. Engraved on each monolith is the name of the 2,495 veterans from California who died during the Korean War.

The 11th Airborne Memorial is a granite and bronze monument that was dedicated on May 11, 2002, in honor of all airborne soldiers. The sculptor was William Porteus, a member of the 511th unit.

New Year's Resolutions

The 63rd Carnival of Genealogy asks us for our New Year Resolutions for 2009.

At the top of my list is to complete my portfolio and send it to the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Becoming a board certified genealogist is top priority for me in 2009.

Next on my list is to find Pauline's whereabouts from 1875 to 1905 and to come to some conclusion the reason she used the name Helen Hunt.

More member participation is another goal I have for the San Joaquin Genealogical Society here in Stockton, California. I am the editor for the society's newsletter and I hope to use this position to meet this goal.

Membership to the DAR for Mummy Dahling. I am already a member (registrar for my local chapter) through my father's side of the family.

I turn 50 in 2009 and need to complete my list of things to do before I turn 60. A few items I do have already include:

1. Learn how to Belly Dance.

2. Ride camels with Brenda Dougall Merriman.

3. I have been a passenger on a motorcycle, now I want to drive one.

4. Take Elizabeth Shown Mills' class at Samford and pass with flying colors.

What are your goals for 2009?

Merry Christmas!

The Proximidade Award

Elyse's Genealogy Blog has given The Educated Genealogist the Proximidade Award. Thank you Elyse!

"These blogs invest and believe in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers, who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I am passing this award on to:

Before My Time
Kathy's Genealogy Blog
Kinexxions
Little Bytes of Life
We Tree
Nordic Blue
Janet The Researcher
Chapter & Wurst

Three Unknowns

The 9th Edition of Smile for the Camera is coming up soon. The prompt is "Who Are You - I Really Want To Know".

If we have any photos in our collection that are unknown to us, we should put them on our blog with as much information as we know about them.

In my entire collection of family photos, I have only three that are UFP's (unidentified family photos). Maybe they belong to your family?

The first is a lovely family photo that includes a nun. Oh how I wanted to be able to claim this as my own family. (You know how I feel about the sisters!). I have absolutely no information about this photo.

I call this second photo "The Two Brothers". This photo has a little clue that was written on the back - "Sunday Morning on Maple". Again, no idea who these charming young men are.

For all you football fans, the third and last photo I have is something I like to call "The Jock". Some one left us a little clue on the back of this photo as well - "D. Boldt Bachman". Or at least that's what I think is written there. No explanation on how this made it into my family photos.

If there is a possibility that one or more of these photos belongs in your family, just let me know and I'll be happy to send it on it's way to you!

Donna Is A Poet And Now Everyone Will Know It!

Donna Pointkouski who is the author of the blog "What's Past Is Prologue" has written a genealogical Christmas poem that blew me away.

How does she do it?

Donna is a very talented and gifted writer. Take a few minutes out of your day for some Christmas cheer over at Donna's place.

Saturday Night Fun On Saturday Night!

I can't believe that I finally get to play along with the funmeister, Randy Seaver, on Saturday night instead of later in the week. This week the game is called "Saturday Night Fun - The History Edition".

PART I

What day of the week were you born? Tell us how you found out.

I was born on a Monday.

Monday's Child Fair of Face.

I have always known this to be true. All my life I was told that I was born on "Easter Monday." But for those of you who do not know what day of the week you were born on, Pro Genealogists has a very nifty calculator to figure it out for you.

PART II

What has happened in recorded history on your birth date (day and month)? Tell us how you found out, and list five events.

30 March 1533 - Henry VIII divorces his 1st wife, Catherine of Aragon

The Barbie doll, invented by Ruth Handler was first introduced to the world on March 30, 1959 at the American Toy Fair in New York City sporting a ponytail and a black-and-white striped swimsuit.

30 March 1858 - Pencil with attached eraser patented by Hyman L. Lipman of Philadelphia

30 March 1955 - 27th Academy Awards "On the Waterfront" is awarded best picture.

30 March 1867 - US buys Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000 (this works out to be 2¢ per acre). Secretary of State William H. Seward was the dealer maker. Critics attacked Seward for the secrecy surrounding the deal, which came to be known as "Seward's folly." The press mocked his willingness to spend so much on "Seward's icebox" and Andrew Johnson's "polar bear garden."

How did I find this information? I knew about Barbie because she and I share the exact same birth date and birth year. As soon as Barbie hit the shelves, my mother ran out and purchased one for me. It was the beginning of a collection that now numbers well over 350.

The other 4 items were obtained from the same place as Part I, Pro Genealogy website which had yet another really nifty tool called "This Day in History"

Thanks Randy for another delightful evening of diversions.

Facebook Fiasco!

Today - Saturday, December 20th - Facebook.com has been offline all day. Is anyone else experiencing the same thing? When I go to their website I get this message :

Sorry, an error has occurred.
We're working on getting this fixed as soon as we can.

I am surprised at myself, however, getting hysterical over a damn socializing website.

But how am I to know what is going on with everyone? Oh my, whatever shall I do?

UPDATE: I followed the instructions that "anomonyous" left me, using the https instead of http and Voila, I made it in the door to Facebook! Thank you.

What Are Your New Year's Resolutions?

63rd Edition Carnival of Genealogy

New Year's Resolutions!

What plans do you have for your genealogy research next year? How about for your blogging? And don't forget how you are going to be better organized.

Write 'em up and share it with the rest of the world.

The Deadline For Submissions Is January 1, 2009


Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using the carnival submission form.

Also, check out Jasia's post "FAQs About The Carnival of Genealogy," for all you need to know about submitting a post. First-timers always welcome and greatly appreciated!

Who Are You?

The 9th Edition Smile for the Camera - Who Are You? - I Really Want To Know.

Show us that picture that you found with your family collection or purchased, but have no idea who they might be.

Deadline for submission is midnight 10 January 2009

HOW TO SUBMIT: There are two options. 1. Send an email to the host, footnoteMaven. Include the title and permalink URL of the post you are submitting, your name, and the name of your blog. Put 'Smile For The Camera' clearly in the title of your email! 2. Use the handy submission form provided by Blog Carnival.