Tuesday I noticed that there would be a wreath laying at the Old state Capitol at 2:30. I messaged the manager about it since the site is only open Wednesday through Saturday. He said he'd open special for the Vietnam Veterans Convention that was in Springfield and asked if I could help out. I said sure so I wore my VFW shirt. They noticed I wore my VFW Post 755 shirt and we got into a conversation. I told them my husband was a 3 tour Vietnam Vet. Then when the gentlemen learned that I was a Vietnam Era veteran they tried to talk me into joining them too. I don't need to join another group especially restricted to a particular time frame that will eventually end. I see this happening to our Korean War veterans group as they dwindle. In evening I gave my presentation of Distant Memories and received 2 tips. I wore my modest dress and the new shawl that I got in the mail the day before.
I keep saying I'll stop adding to my historic wardrobe with the end of the sesquicentennial of the Civil war but I ordered new shoes.
Well I came home via Chatham Road over I-72 which the bridge is down to a
single lane controlled by a traffic light. The light is not in sync in
both directions. We ended up head to head with on coming traffic in
the single lane. I was not the lead car but about 4th when our light turned green. My side ended up loosing the stare off and about 12
cars had to back off the bridge. That's insane.
I've been planning a pilgrimage to the tomb of our VFW Post's namesake, Lafore Lock, who died in WW1 on Oct 18, 1918. I thought we'd start small and build up to the 100th anniversary of his death in 2018. I've learned that his unit is still active and they may be interested in participating. I've asked our local reenactors to attend.
Wednesday my new prescription arrived from Express-Scripts. I take Prevastatin before bed. I was afraid of having cramps in the middle of the night but so-far I haven't. I have noticed a change in my body oder but it could be the heat and humidity.
Thursday was my house cleaning day. The house may look a mess because everything that was on the floor is on tables and chairs for cleaning beneath. Then I noticed that the furnace needed changed. Bad Bad Bad! It was dirty. Besides, I never noticed there's an arrow on the filter for a right way to install it.
Saturday morning it rained but I walked my dog before it hit. Then it cleared up. I drove to the Patriot Guard "Meet and Greet". I had recalled that the parking lot at Top Cats had a gravel lot and after a recent rain I drove rather than rode. However, the lot had been paved during the remodeling. We had pulled pork and cole slaw. Once again it was top heavy with ride captains so it was a greet the captains and a few flagliners. I did finally see Dan, the state captain. It was nice to see Fat Fred again. Then I left to got to see Servant's Tour of Edwards Place. I had asked if I could take photos or video when I purchased my ticket and it was granted. Here Annie tells of her situation before entering the historic sight via the rear entrance.
This is the upstairs video:
This is the dining room:
Here is a video from the children's room
Mrs Edwards is a strict boss. Get a close up of the belt when she addresses Miss Rose:
I came home and turned on my air conditioner!
Sunday I read the second reading at Mass. Fr John gave a sermon about the loaves and fishes and how we can all do just a little bit and clean out our closets for St. Martinde Porres. Ironically, that's what I'd been doing this week after moving all the reenacting stuff around. After my son did his laundry, I went to the Downed Rider Benefit in Athens. I brought Sophie with me but she had to remain outside the gate. I did get her to meet and greet to test her with others before the exam next week. She did pretty well and only jumped in the beginning. I had donated a few things to the silent auction like the Harley Barbie and Ken dolls that I was trying to sell on Craigslist. I know that Ken doll brought in at least $45 and Barbie at least $25 when I looked.
All this rain has made the humidity very high. Even when I wear my sunglasses they fog up just blinking. Be thankful you can't smell me as I write this. I've never experience such before. Now we have heat advisories for the coming week and I have to wear my period dress for Distant Memories outside.
I got a call to show up at Tuesday's Vacation Bible school at 9:15 to
receive a bunch of cards for our soldiers. I'll bring a box that I've
half way prepared for dispatch and tell the kids OUR story about Soldiers Angels.
Whoo Hoo. I got an email from my adopted soldier, Alex. My letters and packages are making it through and the address must be right that I got from Soldiers Angels.
Remember in my last "My Week" blog that I mentioned a blood test? Well that resulted in a prescription for cholesterol medication...at least for a year trial. It makes me feel old but yet many younger than I have more meds than this. I told my son and didn't even know that he was on cholesterol meds and blood pressure meds for his headaches.
Tuesday evening I skipped the Lincoln Tomb retreat ceremony and went to an event at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Mark DePue, head of oral history at the presidential library, interviewed Abner Mikva and moderated questions from the audience. C-SPAN
cameras joined us for tonight's presentation by Abner Mikva, who worked
in all three branches of federal government and received the
Presidential Medal of Freedom. He discussed Lincoln, Obama, his Mikva
Challenge program and more
Outside there was a pushy man protesting "No more Gun Laws" but guns were not discussed during the presentation.
Wednesday our exercise instructor showed us photos of her baby's ultra sound. Fr George noted the angle of the baby's foot and other markings made the baby look like a rabbit. Now we think she'll give birth to a bunny.
Thursday I went on a mini-day trip with the Marine Bank Mariner Club. We went to Contigny Park and Naperville Settlement.
While at Contigny Park, folks were busy setting up for a Rock for the Troops concert with the Lt Dan Band.
Here are the pictures that I took:
This was on the wall at the visitors center as a gift from Amvets.
The man at the front desk looked at a man among the three of us and asked if HE WAS A VETERAN and I raised my hand too. He gave us a little pin that said "Thank you for your service from Cantigny Military Museum"
This was inside a mock up of the inside of a ship whose hatch had a movie screen and when the movie was over, the hatch dropped and we walked right into Normandy beaches.
This was my self timer photo. It's the only sign that said Cantigny France but I wish it was clearer.
Here's where we had dinner on our way home in Dwight, IL. There was a windmill in the back.
Some of the people eating our fried chicken dinner at
School teacher was demonstrating teaching math to a young feller at the Napersettlement schoolhouse.
This was taken with my self-timer on my camera from the steps of the Cantigny Mansion just before our tour time.
I got an offer from one of the ladies in my exercise group to do the Wimmer Cemetery Walk in Auburn on Sep 26. I'll know more later.
I went to my doctor appointment at 1:15 and I'm in good health. (BMI, BP, heart beat, et) Afterward I went to the Old State Capitol to catch up on our History Comes Alive til closing. After that I went to bike nite at Halls Harley Davidson and met up with some of our Legion Riders. Of course I didn't ride my motorcycle because I had a change of clothes to do between the Old State Capitol and the biker-look.
I pinned the skirt up (known as skirt lifters) for the dance. After the dance I drove 1 1/2 hours home in my underpinnings. I don't think I liked being in a corset over 12 hours. Monday I washed the dress but pressing all the pleats was a big chore.
We presented a Tableau Vivante both days narrated by Laura. The tableau is like a still photo. I played Amelia whose husband, Sam, was leaving for war.
On Saturday, Larry (above) stood in for this since all the soldiers were fighting at one of the other locations. In the last act I represented the reading of his last letter. Other ladies stood in the picture for comfort. On Sunday I recruited one of the members of the 21st Illinois and his
regiment followed to watch in the audience. Actually, they did a little
heckling of their regimental sergeant but it was good experience for
them.
We introduced ourselves to a lovely lady named Robin and when I
introduced myself, she recognized my name from facebook's "Civilian Civil War Closet" and had friended me as a result. The ladies drooled
over Robin's starched, detailed petticoat that she had made with tucks going
parallel and horizontal separated by lace. I would never do such fine
work for a petti which is normally covered. I asked about her lovely
light sheer dress and she said
it was by Deborah DeFranco. I told her that I had one made by her too
and that I wore that dress last year to this same event last year but it
was more of a working dress.
Sunday I carpooled and picked up Mary to go to the event. At least I didn't have to be alone. I picked her up in Springfield in pouring rain but the weather map showed that it was better at our destination.
Monday I didn't have dog training but I will next week and it may be the last lesson before the TDI test tentatively scheduled for Aug 1st.
Then in the evening I went to a VFW meeting and when I got home, I sat on the porch and stared at the stars. An hour later, when I went to bed, it was pouring rain. Well I hope this is all over now.
On the plus side of things, this has been a cool July so far allowing for windows open and less air conditioning. Down side of the bill will be an increase in our water rates due to poor decisions by the village board.
SIUE CAB is showing Rocky Horror Picture Show on August 27. Let's do the Time Warp Again.
After the retreat ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb, I located Lafore Lock's tombstone at Oak Ridge. He died in WW1 and is the namesake for my VFW Post.
I'm trying to organize a pilgrimage to the tomb on his death day, Oct 18. Not sure what we'll do but I thought we'd park near the memorials about 2 blocks away and those that can't walk can drive there but there's limited parking. We could then place a flower or penny.
Wednesday I got up late and missed my exercise group. So I did a little shopping and lunch at County Market.
Thursday I had back to back meetings. I went to the meeting of the Lincoln Monument Association and we listened to a "go-to-meeting" with "Client Focused Media". They will help market our not-for-profit.
Then I went to a meeting of our Catholic War Veterans. Not too many showed up and Mary and Jerry were a little late due to the Legion Convention.
Friday I helped out at the Old State Capitol for our History Comes Alive program. I had dropped off my dress the day before so I could ride my motorcycle and change. We had a short parade-like ride for the American Legion convention at 5PM. Then we went to the Firefighters Club for "bike night" and guess who showed up....Governor Rauner. He's a pretty tall guy.
Bike nights are always great for "people watching". I came home at "deer-thirty" cautiously but it was close to home. There's no way to get home without passing through a deer crossing area.
Well it looked a bit nice out when I got up at 6:30 so I made coffee and
sat on the front porch with my laptop. I heard the rumble of thunder
and looked around the garage and sure enough, storm. Quickly got
dressed and took Sophie for a short walk down before feeling the rain
drops. Lady came out for a jog and I told her she wasn't going to make
it because I felt the drops of rain already. Oh there goes our plans. But wait....I went for a quick ride with the Legion Riders for lunch in Athens at the Boar's Nest. We left about 2:30 with rumbling clouds but the worst was not in the direction we were heading. But not for long. I got home just in time to let the dog out and mow the grass in the front and felt a few drops mowing the last small patch of grass. Mind...it was a neat job...just a rush job.
Sunday morning I rode to Christ the King parish for our Catholic War Veterans memorial Mass. I read a statement of who were were and what we were about. Afterward we had breakfast at the Knights of Columbus. Sophie barks at the strangest things. My neighbor has elevated his yard
waste for the upcoming storm and it wasn't there before so Sophie barked at
it.
Had my fasting blood test just before exercise. Hadn't eaten since 4PM so
it was a drag in addition to this heat so I had breakfast at the new
Chatham Cafe. It was open house with free coffee and danish. I ordered
a feta spinach omelet with hash browns and rye toast and had to take
some home.
I cleaned out my garage for the upcoming storm so I can fit my car in. Packed
the garage for the upcoming tornado watch. Packed the garage pretty
tight. But if I want to mow or ride or drive everything will need to be
removed to get to stuff in the front or sides. It's so hot and humid
that my glasses fog up when I go out. LOL. You don't want to know what's in front of those headlights. Actually, I think I can reach things on the shelf better than reaching for a ticket at the parking garage.
The Dr needs to renew my prescription on Friday during my annual physical. No worries, I have 2 mo supply and they usually send 3 more months thru TRICARE. I'm a little overstocked.
The problem with summer is mosquito bites, gnats and chiggers. I got a wand zapper from Aldi.
Tuesday morning I took a new tour, "Abe and Mary Quite Contrary". Mostly locations that are now parking lots.
I was really proud of myself Tuesday evening. My presentation as Rose Herrmann, during Distant Memories at the Lincoln Tomb brought a tear to the eye of one lady in my audience. This is the script but be aware that I can edit it to keep current: http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2015/06/distant-memories-program-at-lincoln-tomb.html
Wednesday's discussion was whether our Legion Riders should meet on July 1 or the second Wednesday. My vote was the first Wednesday as scheduled and already on the post calendar. Whatever, I didn't go.
Friday I stayed home and sat the "grand" dogs. Well, I had Hank over and went to my son's house to let Moe out. I thought it would be too much for me and Sophie. I was warned that Hank liked socks so I closed the spare bedroom used to store stuff including mis-matched socks. Well, instead Hank found my reenacting gloves. Meanwhile, the clumsy pup knocked over a plant stand with a start for a mosquito plant.
I sure hope my son's had a great time at the Cardinals game with their friends even though the Cardinals lost.
Hank also liked licking my glass of wine. Perhaps it was because a portion of the proceeds go to a no-kill shelter.
It looks like the celebrated Independence Day on July 3d was a Friday this year so many had the day off to compensate for a weekend holiday.
Alan gave me a dog mat that I needed to sew. It was tough to fix and get into my sewing machine with it's large size and padding. The mat really needed a serger but I only have a zig-zag stitch to keep it from fraying.
In the morning I put the big flag on the back of my motorcycle and went to Mass at Oak Ridge Cemetery across from Lincoln's Tomb. I think I lost the foot cap to my tripod stool in the soft soil at the cemetery.
After that I went to the VFW for the 4th of July celebration from noon to 3PM. My door prize was a golf shirt with the VFW logo. Of course it was a small that doesn't fit most members but it was perfect (after I shorten it) for me. I got a patriotic painted star for my house in the silent auction. My idea of "face painting" was something like a tattoo. I asked for a bad-ass rose but I think it looks like pansies.
Actually it tickled.
In the evening I went to help with ticket sales at the Iles House. Apparently the food sold out earlier than our stock because the weather was nice and it was also on a Saturday this year. I liked Lady Liberty.
The evening was so nice and the turnout so nice that food sold out fast. Here I am with the new acquisition to the house, a girandole. It's a nice 1840-1860 era prism candle holder. The main parts were cast in metal to denote historical or popular figures attached to a marble base. Castings were sold to many companies but assembled differently by each. The Logan family girandole is known as "Paul and Virginia" probably the most common girandole. The design for the "Paul and Virgian" mold was from a 1787 romance novel by Bernadine de Saint-Pierre. (1737-1814) The novel tells of star-crossed lovers of misalliances whose mothers have sought refuge in tropical French colony Isle De France (Maurtitus). Raised as siblings, Paul and Virginia develop a deep love broken by Virginia's return to Europe. Virginia tries to return to him but dies in a shipwreck.
This item is an ornate pickle jar with tongs that is also new to the house this past winter. I guess there were some special healing properties in eating pickles such as vinegar.
I got home in time to change, eat, and walk Sophie down the street to see fireworks. I had to see this future therapy dog dealing with people and stress of fireworks. I liked how she looked to me for support with all the noise all around. I came home and finished a little wine that was left. Watched some Saturday Night Live that had a Christmas special on!
Why
do people say "Happy Fourth of July"? You don't say "Happy December
25th" or "Happy January First". While people around the world have July
4th, only we in the United States recognize it as the anniversary of
our Independence. Why don't people recognize the holiday - Independence
Day - rather than the date on which it's observed?
Monday I shipped a box to a lucky lady in the military. Funny think is that her description says "airman" but location was "navy". It can happen.
I just got back from my 4th session of dog training with Sophie. We have much improved but now we need to focus on recall and not licking. Sophie has an appointment with Bubbles of Fun on July 31st so she'll be pretty for her exam day. She stresses me.
I watched a good movie on the Hallmark channel, Magic of Ordinary Days. Tuesday I rode my motorcycle to the Shatner Ride for American Legion Legacy Fund awareness along Route 66. That didn't happen. Apparently they never left Chicago and the crew was going to haul all vehicles to St Louis to catch up on schedule. After that I did an escort from Springfield to Jacksonville for the "Vietnam Wall That Heals". On the way to the staging area at a rest stop, I passed the airport. At the stop light, I got a honk regarding the black covers over my flag poles. A couple of airmen asked about the occasion and I told them. They gave me a thumbs up. My bike, "Buck", waiting for the escort.
The weather for this ride couldn't have been nicer. It stormed the day before and after. Upon arrival in Jacksonville, I learned that the noise I heard was not a jack hammer in the distance but the aluminum outside had sliced from rubbing on the hollow mount. My husband made these years ago and lasted a long time. Although I have 2 poles, I sometimes fly one.
I filled my tank and then rode home for a quick change into my period dress for the retreat ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb. I saw a real light traveler this evening in the parking lot at the Lincoln Tomb.
Then I let Sean's dog out afterward since he told me he'd be in late. Wednesday's phone call: Telemarketer: I understand your vehicle has under 200K miles and may qualify for an extended maintenance policy. ME: Yes. Telemarketer: I just need to verify the make and model. ME: You said my warranty is expired so you should know. Telemarketer: I do. I just need to verify the make and model of your truck. ME: I don't have a truck.
NEVER EVER BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. If you ask to be removed from
their list (this goes for mail too), another will call and another will
call. The "list" has been sold too many times to too many callers. The truck was totaled in 2008! Wednesday afternoon I attended a fourth town hall meeting conducted by the VA Illini Health System. The meeting got pretty heated. These are the notes that I took:
4th town hall.
Dianna Carrenza
VA Town Hall Meeting June 24th 2PM
Shut down the therapeutic pool. Sent those patients out to the community.
New claims take priority over appeals!
1)Poor notification of meeting. Posters, FB, Media. Next meeting will be at W. Lafayette, IN.
2)Phone complaints. Springfield calls redirected
to Danville. Redirected back o
Springfield
3)Renewal medicine. MyHealtyVet system.
4)Choice program. Live outside 40 miles of clinic
you are not eligible for the Choice program.
Wait greater than 30 days.
Special care = Choice First (Health Net)
Dr Bomeke gave 30 days notice but wasn’t replaced for 7
months. Dr from Springfield Clinic bid
for position here and another location looking for best deal.
Springfield VA clinic seems to only be capable of BP and
urine test.
Applied for disability pension the cost of 13K/Mo can
reduces a $75k annual income.
25% VA employees are veterans. High turnover of staff.
Mark Patterson said the VA is not your enemy.
Tony says take personal responsibility for care.
VA is not in business of land and hospitals so they rent.
Chicago backlog has been going on for 40 years. 1k of 300k fired but then Bonuses for
cheating. 125days defined by Sec Shinseki.
She gave a pledge to help.
She asked her navy cf what to do about Viet Vet with PTSD and he told
her “Oh, he’ll get over it”. It’s not right then and it’s not right now.
My review is that the VA is bragging about the 90% backlog reduction on NEW CLAIMS. Appeals are another story. However, these are probably appeals from Korean and Vietnam veterans whom are older and put on the back burner. And what about those new units that were recently added on the list of Agent Orange that couldn't file earlier? It seems to me that the VA is reducing the backlog like Dave Ramsey's BABY STEP 2 where debt looks good in small ways and is motivating. Health issues are are not debt snowballs. VA expects them to be on Obamacare by now so it's no biggie.
Wednesday night I left my car window on the passenger side overnight when it rained. Ug! So after exercise, I pulled it into my tight garage and let the windows down to dry out. Note that I cannot close my garage door.
I started to walk Sophie but I heard the thunder and didn't think I'd make it around the block and turned back. I tried on this coat that I got at a yard sale. Not as nice as the rain coat that fit the cocker spaniels and covered more area and had a hood.
Gad, it's pouring and the man across the street is mowing...oh he just walked into the garage now and staring out at the rain.
Friday I went to the Old State Capitol. The highlight was presenting Heather from the "Looking For Lincoln" office a box of Lincoln Logs that I got at the Goodwill on Wednesday. She was so excited because she needs them for the booth at the state fair and they are hard to find.
I broke my table lamp that I used to sew by in my bedroom so I stopped by a resale shop and found a nice one on a stand. Saturday we had a respite from the rain so in the afternoon, when the lawn dried up, I got a chance to mow. Then I got hot and rode the little cycle to Edgar's coffee shop for some honey lemon ice cream. Afterward I painted the new steps that the neighbor built for my back porch. Sophie got paint on her paws. I had to trim the red fur off.
Sunday Fr Mariadas sang a nice song in his native language from India because he is leaving as temporary pastor. He told us the meaning before he sang and it was beautiful. The word that we were familiar with was "Alleluia". In the afternoon I went to a walk through salute for Jean Goretski who has been active in the veteran community. I also attended her funeral at Camp Butler. Jean has been so full of life and had been a member of the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.
Monday I stood with the veterans as we saluted Jean's casket. Her brother played a song on his harmonica "Gather at the River".
Afterward I went to Dianne's retirement gathering and got there in time for the last piece of cake. On the way home a saw a dirigible flying over Springfield.
I drove to get a close up but that thing went faster than I did.
Sophie and I went to dog training at 2:30. We're getting there and Sarah noticed. Today we learned that when another distraction is present, like Sarah and her dog, I must wait till Sophie focuses on me. It's called "choose me" training. We are weaning the reward from immediate to I have to get it from the table while she waits. There will be no treats allowed during her test on August 1st.
I made neck coolers for my adopted soldier this week.
Well, next post will be in July. My how time flies.
Tuesday I went to the Lincoln Tomb for Distant Memories. All seemed to enjoy my presentation. I did a little more research and learned that the pastor mentioned in Rose's obit was Lutheran. I'll add that next time. Then I joined our crowd and Soldiers Aid Society for the retreat ceremony. Afterward I changed in the bathroom and went to the Honor Flight Homecoming wearing a 1940s type dress. Unfortunately, the corset didn't do it justice without the addition of a pin. I'll have to add a button hole and button ...soon. Still had my period "rats" in my hair from reenacting at the Lincoln Tomb are a little close to the 40's look curl back.
Wednesday I did a little Goodwill shopping but I didn't stay out too long since I was expecting my sister and brother-in-law to stay the night. They arrived just in time for dinner with my son at Texas Roadhouse. My son is a regular there.
Then early I saw my sister and brother-in-law off after they stayed with me overnight at about 5:30 AM. As my sister left, she told me I should move a few blocks down to a street called "Money Tree". They are on the way to Alabama for a funeral. She left her cosmetic case in my bathroom.
Thursday evening I went to an ABATE meeting. I added a few flyers and events to our facebook page.
Friday morning I had a dental appointment after exercising and made it there in time which I was worried about. I didn't have any cavities. Then I went to the Old State Capitol but I didn't dress in period because the back tracking home between. Laura was working on her punched paper embroidery and even had an original 1864 punched example as a photo frame with a tinted picture that was stamped. Too bad the flash ruined it but without the flash was worse.
Laura's handiwork.
I liked how General Grant spotted the G for Green Bay Packers on a tourist's shirt and said the man must be from Wisconsin's Company "G". In the evening I walked Sophie and we attracted some kids with grandparents watching them for awhile. They had a Pekinese too named Jonah but Jonah was twice as big as Sophie and very thick with hair that needed a lot more grooming.
Alan has been wondering if it is safe for his dog to bite on fireflies.
Saturday I went to Jacksonville's Grierson Days. I picked up the two little folding chairs that I had left with Ben to recover the week before at the Ladies and Gents Emporium. I even gave him the tapestry to do it but I didn't trust my own workmanship. That was $10 labor easy and fair. Tapestry was a heavy pillow case made to cover the seats. Now...period correct and a bit more soft around the wooden edge when sad upon.
I was in the Civil War fashion show but since it was so damp in the park, I wore my blue dress with black trim. The speaker, from the Ladies and Gents Emporium, showed off my bonnet and crinoline cage. I had to show off the cage part. I stayed for the battle and the Union forces won. I was in a picture with Larry and Shirley after the battle. Shirley and I referred to these dress as our mud dresses (Her's in brown and mine with black trim on the bottom)
Since there was a 3 hour break before the ball, I decided to come home and change. However, I learned there was a sever weather warning and didn't return.
Instead, I cut the grass before the storm as many in the neighborhood were doing. After that, I took my "cool off" ride on Wheezer as a reward. My hair still seemed wet even after the blow dry. I move car in garage but was not be able to close the door. Others on Facebook warned of hail. I opened it and a toad went in my garage. I stayed up till the warning expired and then moved my car out and closed the garage door.
Sunday I was pretty lazy outside of cooking a lot of food. That just made Monday's exercise group that much harder.
Monday morning I was sitting on my porch with my laptop and coffee. I waved good by to
the neighbor saying "don't work too hard". He said he'll try not to. I then went to a Mass and burial funeral for Steve Hall. Not only was he a veteran and a Catholic but also a bugler for the 114th Illinois Regiment reactivated which my Soldiers Aid Society supports. After the Interveterans Burial Detail performed the military honors, the 114th provided a 21 gun black powder salute. (chaplain was about to step in not knowing there'd be 2 rifle volleys). I brought with me 3 requests for photos on findagrave.com. I found one on the roster in the office that was printed for Memorial Day but the other 2 were not listed. I took a number of random photos just to see if they were needed on findagrave also. It's tedious.
Objective: A short (10-15 min.), 1st person interpretation of an average Springfield resident concerning how she felt about the assassination, the funeral, and of Lincoln himself. My idea of the poem is a great start for people still gathering. Once you have said the poem, you would then begin to reminisce about the time of the assassination. You can tell it from a viewpoint of a month ago, a year ago, or whenever. You are looking back on the whole thing. You were a witness to the funeral procession and the funeral. Where were you when you heard of his death? How did you feel? What did you do? etc. Those kind of questions you need to answer.
Short video of the script portrayal and then the bell tower cut me off.
Opening:
Read the Poem ~ The Martyr by Herman Melville (read from book) while people gather.
or
There was a funeral.
It took long to pass its many given points.
Many millions of people saw it and personally moved in it and were part of its procession.
the line of mach ran seventeen hundred miles.
As a death march, nothing like it had never been attempted before.
The people, the masses, the nameless and anonymous numbers of persons not listed nor published among those present -- these redeemed it.
They gave it the dignity and authority of a sun darkened by a vast bird migration.
They shaped it into a dram awful in the sense of having naive awe and tears without shame.
They gave it the color and heave of the sea which is the mother of tears.
They lent it to the color of the land and the earth which is the bread-giver of life and the quiet tomb of the Family of Man.
Carl Sandburg. First Person Introduction:
My name is Rose Hermann. My husband, Charles and I have been living in Springfield since 1855 when we moved from Germany with many others to avoid the turmoil of the German Reformations of 1848. I kept house and my husband a weaver. He took great pride in having the privilege of weaving the cloth for the suit that Abraham Lincoln wore at a big demonstration in Springfield during his first campaign for the presidency. I remember 1860 when our local lawyer was elected president of our country. The locals in Springfield shared in the excitement and pride for his winning a tight and tense election. Mr Lincoln did not win the popular vote but narrowly beat out the other candidates. It was over 5 years ago but seems like only yesterday that I saw Abraham Lincoln giving a farewell speech on the back of a train car. Since then, there was a bloody Civil War. Even my husband had been wounded during the battle of Vicksburg as a
member
of the 29th Missouri Infantry. (Now you may be wondering why
he did not muster into a local unit in Illinois. The 29th was one of
only 2 Missouri Federal units made up of mostly German immigrants.) The battle had ended with the South's surrender. Or had it?
The Assassination
Do you remember a significant event that you will never forget where you were when it happened? I sure have one etched in my mind. For me it happened the day of April 15, 1865. I’ll never forget what I was doing when I received news that our beloved president and Springfield neighbor had been fatally shot. You see, I was making preparations with our church choir for Easter services at the(ENGLISH EVANGELICALLUTHERAN) CHURCH in Springfield over on 6th and Madison. It was there that I heard the sad news. A messenger in the street announced that a telegraph message confirmed the president had died.
Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theater while
relaxing knowing
that the war was over.
He enjoyed the theater because it was a
pleasant escape from the burdens of presidential responsibilities. The
doctors in attendance had taken the wounded president to the Peterson
House nearby and
attempted to save our president, but he died the following morning at
7:22 AM on April 15, 1865.
Wailing cries could be heard all around as we tried to
console ourselves.
You would think that we would have been hardened to news about death especially at the end of this war, but it never keeps us from tears.
Why now? The war was ended and the people looked forward to
peace in the land. It is such a tragic end to this man who worked to lead us
all though our darkest hours.
Many have died that the rest of us may live in peace and freedom. Many
men that we see
on our streets who have come home from the war have scars that will
never heal. We will remember this war when ever see the veterans. They will be
constant reminders among us of this great struggle for freedom.
Even
our Confederate brothers and sisters
had hope for the future after so much sacrifice. They believed his words when he said, "With malice towards none". Lincoln will be missed.
Mather (block) Vault:
The people of Springfield believed that President Lincoln was a part of us and we took it upon ourselves to make burial arrangements. It was as if he was a part our family here in Springfield and it was our responsibility to put him to rest. An excavation downtown was begun at the Mather block so that the people could visit our native son regularly and conveniently, as was the custom. The people of Springfield did not at first consider the hallowed ground of Oak Ridge cemetery for the President’s final resting place. Oak Ridge Cemetery was dedicated just months (May 24, 1860) before his nomination for presidency. A crowd of people gathered as the Oak Ridge as it was consecrated. I remember seeing Mr Lincoln in the crowd.
Mary’s wishes
Mary knew what her husband would have wanted for his final arrangements. He told her before he died as they strolled through the park that he thought it would be a lovely place to rest among the trees and hills. Oak Ridge fits the description he gave her. He told her, “Mary, you are younger than I. You will survive me. When I am gone, lay my remains in some quiet place like this”. Just look around this peaceful place compared to the plains of central Illinois. The trees whisper and birds sing songs of peace. Wouldn’t you agree?
Oak Ridge about 2 miles from the city center. Despite the expressed wishes of President Lincoln’s family, our citizens continued with the excavation of the Mather Block. We had formed the National Lincoln Monument Association to make funeral arrangements. Telegrams expressing Mary's wishes were sent on April 28, 29 and more firmly on the 30th, but it wasn’t until his widow threatened to bury Abraham in Chicago that the City Council agreed
that our martyred president
should be buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The receiving vault was always ready for burial and so it was to be. The itinerary changed many times before the actual day of the funeral. The Funeral
Mary did not attend the funeral because she was so distraught. Their son, Robert, attended on short notice and ensured the family’s wishes for burial were carried out.
The train passed 444 communities in 7 states and lasted 3 weeks. The train had 9 cars. There were a total of 14 funerals and the last was here in his home of Springfield. Buildings along the way were decorated in mourning cloth to express our feelings of
loss. Guns and cannons were fired to let people in the surrounding area know that the train was approaching. Camp fires were lit in the evening as a vigil and mourners bowed and knelt as the train went by.
On May 3d, the funeral train arrived in Springfield. Mourners came from places I’ve never heard of and the streets were
crowded. I even opened my home to some of those travelers. I even let some sleep on my porch. Many
slept where ever they could.
The president’s coffin was open to viewing in the state house by as
may as 75,000 people in a 24-hour period. This is remarkable because the
population of Sangamon County was only about 15,000. I remember passing
through the line to pay respects at the open coffin and for a last
look at President Lincoln. I had to see for myself that President Lincoln's life had come to an end. The reality of seeing him lie there was too much to bear. I tried to be strong but my sadness was stronger and I wept. He had so much to live for and did not live to see its glory. We did not appreciate or fully realize his philosophy of life until he lost his own life. He was a martyr that ended the war in man's soul. After the time had ended for the funeral, the doors were closed with many still in line.
Mary did not attend because she was so distraught. Robert Lincoln
attended on short notice to ensure his mother's wishes were honored. The coffin was placed in this elaborate hearse and a long cortege followed. The crowd was diverse, solemn, and bands played mournful dirges. There were many dignitaries in attendance including Illinois Governor Richard Oglesby. . The colored citizens were represented because they had lost their “Moses”.
The hearse did not take the most direct route to the cemetery because we went by Lincoln's own house, the only home he ever owned, and the governor’s mansion. As the hearse arrived trough the gate at Oak Ridge, the end of the cortege was still departing downtown.
Upon arrival at Oak Ridge, there was a large choir on the hillside signing funeral songs.
The remains of the father and his son, Willie, were placed on a marble slab. The walls of the vault were covered in black velvet with evergreens - the symbol of immortality.
Bishop Simpson gave a moving eulogy.
Afterward, the tomb had been guarded by Civil War veterans.
Closure:
The people here in Springfield took the news especially hard because we knew Mr Lincoln personally ...excuse me, I mean to say President Lincoln with all due respect. We have been forever changed in our hearts. Because of the length of the funeral, historians have called this event
"The Greatest Funeral in the History of the United States". As I try to go on with my daily life, my chores are occasionally interrupted with a spontaneous tear and I must pause and reflect on the martyr who changed our country. All of us from here on must ask ourselves what this assassination means to us.
We were told that Secretary of War,
Stanton said, with tears in his eyes, “Now he belongs to the Ages”. Of course he was
referring to the moment that our beloved president, Abraham Lincoln
died.
References:
Rosetta was b. 1829 and immigrated to IL in 1855. Her husband, Charles Herrmann, was a weaver and took great pride in the fact that while there (Spfd) he had the privilege of weaving the cloth for the suit of jeans which Abraham Lincoln wore at a big demonstration in this city during his first campaign for the presidency http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=h&GSfn=rose&GSiman=1&GScid=107259&GRid=31222371&
Sgt. Charles HERMANN was born in Prussia and was 35
when he enlisted at St. Louis on August 7, 1862. He mustered in at
Benton Barracks on September 6 in Company E. He was Wounded in Action,
a gunshot wound to his left heel, at Chickasaw Bayou, MS on December 29,
1862. He left sick at Camp Groves, LA on March 9, 1863. He
was discharged for disability on August 22, 1863. http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/29mo1/29rstr12.html
