Category Archives: Vicki Reed

Are you from somewhere else?

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As a society, we have become very transient…there was a time when you grew up, got married and stayed in the same town you grew up in…personally, I have lived in Indy longer than I lived in my hometown, yet when someone asks where I’m from, I tell them Madison, Indiana.  We meet a lot of people on our travels through life, become friends, some stay there forever, some drift away…I think this poem really says it best…

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

Just this week I have had the opportunity to reconnect with two friends, the first I have know for 25 years, we started our post-college life in the same apartment building and remained friends through her moves to other cities, I was even in her wedding!  But as often happens, life gets in the way and while we have spoken regularly on the phone over the years, I had only seen the oldest of her three children and she was a toddler at the time and is now 10!  She happened to be attending a conference in Indy and her husband and children were with her, nice surprise, when she got her schedule for the conference, she called to let me know she was here and arranged time to meet for dinner – so great to talk face to face and meet her children!  She and her family currently live in Springfield, Illinois, but she is from Sharon, PA!

The second reached out only yesterday on Facebook, we actually went to college together and have known each other for nearly 30 years, but lost touch a number of years ago.  Thanks to the popularity of Facebook, I have the opportunity to reconnect with someone who was a great friend.  She’s from Rushville, IN, we met at Ball State University in Muncie and she now lives in Crown Point, IN!

For me, being on Facebook was a way to stay connected to my nieces, as a Realtor, I use it for marketing and business development, but have found it to be a great way to stay connected to many people who have been friends in my distant past as well as my present life, work friends from my corporate life, keeping up with them and their growing families.  Facebook has made our world a much smaller place – many of my classmates are all over the United States, it’s a great way to keep in touch even though we rarely actually speak to one another!

I love my local friends, The Group saves my sanity on a regular basis, funny though, we are all from somewhere else and landed in Indy…so…where are you from?

GiftofFriendship

Vicki Reed

State Fair Fashion…or…Things that make you go hmmm…

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I have been spending a fair amount (“fair” get it?) at the Indiana State Fair in the Homes for Heros booth with the team from Inlanta Mortgage and I have seen way more boobs and butt cracks than anyone should be subjected to!  Just a few tips to follow when going to a FAMILY event in warm weather…

1.  Wear clothes that fit, but breathe and move…maxi dresses can be a great option, but please, buy a size that fits which means ladies, that it should completely cover your breast and be loose enough that it is not vacuum sucked to your body.

2.  Men, PULL UP YOUR PANTS!  I have no desire to see your underwear or worse!  Hasn’t anyone every told you that women would prefer to see a fitted pair of jeans on a male backside?  My favorite are the guys who literally have to hold their pants up with one hand while they are walking because they are so far down…what if they needed to run?  Look up the origin of this style…bet you pull them up after that!

3.  Leave the rubber flip-flops at home, these aren’t really shoes.  Let’s face it, you are at a state fair, looking at the world’s biggest pig, he’s not going to be impressed with your shoes!  I am the shoe queen, if i’m going to be out walking around, I wear good, solid shoes, but if I’m standing around a booth, usually wearing something cute with a heel!

4.  If you are wearing a long top, make sure your shorts are longer than your top…I have seen several that looked like there was nothing underneath…maybe their wasn’t, but I don’t want to know.

5.  Pay attention to what your T-shirt slogan says…this is a family event and some of you are nasty!

6.  Ladies, tiny T-shirts and short short short shorts are not appropriate, I don’t like seeing cheeks hanging out and I’m sure the parents there with their small children don’t like having to explain why you have no respect for yourself.

Okay…those are my tips…and my rant for today!  I hope everyone enjoys the fair!  Oh…and for those needing a little guidance, What Not To Wear returns on TLC, Friday night at 10 for their final season…

WNTW

Vicki Reed

It’s State Fair Time!

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For the first time in many years, I will be at the Indiana State Fair!  I’ve never been much of a fair goer, but this year will be different because I will be helping to man the Homes For Heros booth with The Shanley Team from Inlanta Mortgage.  We will be in the Expo Hall and working with Heros to help them fulfill their dreams of home ownership!  Make sure you stop by to learn more about the program and get some candy!

Who Qualifies as a Hero?  Let me make it easy for you…

Military:

  • Active, Reserve or Retired Veterans

Law Enforcement:

Firefighters:

  • Active or Retired Firefighters

1st Responders:

  • Paramedics, EMT’s, Ambulatory Personnel

Education:

  • Active or Retired Educators

Medical:

  • Doctors & Nurses

Just interested in becoming a home owner, moving up to a larger home, moving down to a smaller home? Stop by and chat with the team, you will find a lender and Realtor ready and willing to talk with you!

The Indiana State Fair continues to be the one event which brings families together to experience the very best of Indiana! With 17 days of entertainment, exhibits and delicious food spread out over 250 acres – there truly is FUN AT EVERY TURN!  Cick here to plan your visit!

This year is the Year of Popcorn:

Light and fluffy, sometimes sweet or salty, popcorn is one of America‘s favorite snack foods. In Indiana, that means big business. The Hoosier state is the nation’s second largest popcorn producer, which is why popcorn will be the featured product at the 2013 Indiana State Fair.

And to add to the fun, The Indiana State Fair has plans to break a world record this year.  Officials decided to create the world’s largest popcorn ball.  Weighing in at more than 5,000 pounds, the ball of popcorn was constructed by workers at Snax In Pax in Topeka, Indiana.  Popcorn is in the fair spotlight to showcase the importance of the industry to the agricultural economy.  Did you know that Indiana is the second largest producer of popcorn in the country.

So…I’ll be there…will you?

State Fair

Vicki Reed

Back to School…already?

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Classes resume for many schools in the next couple of weeks…where did the summer go?  What are your favorite summertime memories?

Growing up on a farm in southern Indiana, for me, summer was spent in the tobacco field, riding the setter and putting the plants in the fingers…and when my sister Paula was my partner, singing at the top of our lungs…until my grandpa (or Pappa as we called him!) stopped the tractor because he thought we needed something!  Setting and hoeing (for those of you who have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about…google it!), when there wasn’t anything to do with the tobacco, I drove the tractor while we put in the hay, heck I’ve been driving something since I was 8 years old!

How many of you worked in a garden?  Helped with canning?  How about putting up corn?  When the corn was ready, we would get a truck bed full, shuck the corn – usually at the edge of the pasture, the cows love to eat the husks – then spend the afternoon  blanching it, cutting it off the cob (feeding them to the cows too!), putting it into freezer  bags and freezing it so we had corn all winter, all hard work, but so much fun!

Mamma also had an orchard and she would make apple and peach pies for the freezer, using a fork to make either an “A” or “P” on the top, just pull out the one you wanted and  bake it, yes, fresh fruit pies all winter long!

Thanks to this kind of upbringing, I have a great work ethic and a healthy respect for my elders!

As today’s kids put their cell phones away and OMG actually go outside to start catching those buses, thoughts turn toward the increasing threat of school bullying.  There are two places a child should feel safe – at home and at school. Unfortunately, that no longer seems to be true.  Incidents of poor behavior by students are growing.  I’m not talking about horrific events such as mass shootings, but, rather, cases of bullying and fighting.  With the new school year set to begin, a new Indiana state law – known as the anti-bullying bill – goes into effect.

Indiana already requires schools to have policies in place to discourage the bullying of vulnerable students, but this new law significantly strengthens those existing provisions. It requires schools to establish procedures for reporting incidents of bullying and to adopt disciplinary rules around bullying, both in and out of school.

Most school districts across the state are working to add more security to their schools. That security might be in the form of a resource officer assigned to schools. Other schools are training personnel to handle school disruptions.

Those are good measures, but it’s going to take a more proactive approach by parents and the entire community to make significant inroads into the bullying problem, however, good behavior can’t be legislated.  How about extending the discussions to parents? If behavior is taught at home, we know there are some parents who would benefit from hearing the same information.

Progress can only be made when everyone is willing to recognize the underlying cause for the violent behavior.  The problem will only be fixed when parents and the community accept the responsibility to teach children respect and good citizenship.

bullying

Vicki Reed

Homes for Heroes®

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Do you know about Homes for Heroes®?  Their mission is to provide extraordinary savings to local heroes who provide extraordinary services to our community every day.

Homes for Heroes® is a company that affiliates with Realtors® (like me!), lenders and other real estate-related service providers who offer substantial rebates and discounts to the Heroes who serve our nation and its communities every day. Our Heroes include military personnel, firefighters, law enforcement officers and others who make our communities a better place to live.

This program was created after the tragic events of 9/11 as a “Thank you” to the men and women who have given so much. Heroes across the country register on the website every day looking for the savings. They are matched with Homes for Heroes® Affiliates in their area. Homes for Heroes® is now expanding its discounts beyond the home buying and selling process with the Friends of Heroes® program.

Thanks to Don Shanley and The Shanley Team at Inlanta Mortgage, this program is available in the Indianapolis area and I am so proud to one of the Realtor® Affiliates available to help our Heros achieve their dreams!

So how does the program work?  The key to the program is that there is NO COST TO THE HERO!  Here’s an example of how the program is working with Inlanta Mortgage:

Buy a $125,000 Home:
Average Realtor Commission (3.5%)*  = $4,375.00
Realtor (again…that would be me!) credits 25% BACK TO HERO AT CLOSING = $1,094.00
CREDITED TO YOU FROM INLANTA MORTGAGE = $1,350.00
TOTAL CREDITS AT CLOSING = $2,444.00
*Based on a 3.5% Commission. Credit is off actual commission paid to the Buying or Selling Agent

It’s a lot of information to take in, stop by the Indiana State Fair and meet me and The Shanley Team to talk about what we are doing for our local Hero’s as well as what we can do for YOU!

homes for heros logo

Vicki Reed

Turning Right…in front of me!

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As I spend much of my time on the road, I have noticed a higher number of drivers, waiting to turn right….wait until the light turns for the other side, then decide to pull out in front of them!  It’s happening all over the city and makes no sense…is the few seconds you gain worth your life?  My car is not the greatest, but STOP TURNING IN FRONT OF ME!

Now, let’s address those texters…please stop texting and driving!  I was nearly been side swiped 3 times yesterday because these drivers were too busy trying to type something into their phones…I value my life, don’t you?  What is so important that it is worth your life?  And the age of these people surprises me…they appear to be older, definitely not teens!  Have we educated our teens about the danger, but neglected the adults?

Okay, rant over…who wants to buy a house?  sell a house?  Call me!

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Vicki Reed

Do you remember…

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“Video Killed the Radio Star“?  It was the first video played on MTV, August 1, 1981…music and music television has come a long way since…today, they don’t play much music!  I’m beginning to feel like “Reality TV killed the TV Star”.  Have you noticed how much “reality” programming is on your television?

Reality television can find it’s roots in radio…in 1948 when Allen Funt produced a radio show called “Candid Microphone” then switched over to television with a new show called “Candid Camera”.  This show ran to May of 2004 and portrayed real people’s reactions as they were pranked or involved in awkward, comical, outrageous or abnormal situations.  Considered to be the very first reality television ever produced it’s precedence and innovation is still felt as the American public watch numerous shows each week that are considered reality television series.

Wordiq.com calls reality television “a genre of television programming in which the fortunes of “real life” people (as opposed to fictional characters played by actors) are followed.”  Wikipedia lists reality television as “a type of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted melodramatic or “humorous” situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded”.

Viewers are attracted to this particular type of television series for a myriad of reasons. But the popularity has increased over time and the genre continues to evolve as producers brainstorm up scenarios and premises for new shows each week. The genius in producing this type of programming is that it can be customized to any viewing audience, of any age and interests including cooking, dancing, survival, fashion, home improvement, adventure, family life, weight loss etc.

The popularity of a reality TV series is directly affected by the level of involvement of the audience and the  subjects that are explored as the cast of show interacts. The audience must connect with the characters on some level for the show to be successful. Reality shows in recent years have incorporated audience interaction methods in the form of voting online or texting as a method of determining the outcome of the show.

This voting may be used for ratings, elimination of a cast member, or in some other aspect of the show. Viewers are often encouraged to interact on social media sites and receive updates concerning the show which entices the audience to have a heightened sense of involvement in their favorite shows and retain the interest of the viewers. This interaction also provides data to producers to determine what types of programming viewers might want to see in the future.

The more popular a series becomes, it can be syndicated to a national audience, spinoff shows created, and in the end spill over into other media outlets such as video and dvd sales. Merchandising is incorporated to cash in on the show’s popularity. As a show declines in popularity it may be cut from a network or bumped to a less desirable time slot.

Audiences are drawn to reality shows for the drama, shock factor, raw human emotion, to see how every day normal people react to abnormal situations using their personal morals and decision making skills. This leaves the viewer at home wondering how they themselves would have handled the situations they see portrayed on the screen and is generally discussed between friends and coworkers the next day.

As reality television shows branch out into every possible subject matter, social boundaries are tested and acceptable moral codes are broken as producers attempt to create shows that will compel the interest of the American viewing public. The affect that this has on the younger generations is more pronounced as they are more susceptible to the influence of these shows…for better or worse.

Ultimately as a source of entertainment audiences are affected by both the negative and positive natures of these shows. Repeated and regular exposure to either type will influence those watching and result in the imitation of good or bad qualities exhibited by the characters on these shows.

Some level of scripting or directing is involved in the production of a reality television series it is regularly argued that they are not in fact based on reality and will result in the audience believing what they seen on the television screen to be completely normal, acceptable and real…when the truth is that all of these shows contain an element of embellishment to make the show more enticing to it’s viewers.

Reality (pun intended) is reality television shows are less expensive to produce and can have a much larger payout over time depending on the level of popularity of the show. This makes it a steady source of income for most television networks and will continue to be used to grow their business in the future. For good or bad reality television shows appear here to stay and will continue to evolve with it’s audiences as controversial and important topics are explored through this unique social media outlet.

I admit, I love HGTV and my favorite “make-over” “reality” show has been What Not To Wear for many years, but do we really care about Honey Boo Boo?  Why does anyone want to keep up with the Kardashians?  Or do we need to know more about multiple women marrying 1 man on Sister Wives?  I wonder…is the fact that Snooki even exists as a television personality truly a sign of the Apocalypse?

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Vicki Reed

Do you believe?

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I read this story on Facebook today…don’t know if it’s true, but I choose to believe that there there is a greater being guiding our lives.  Many of you know (many of you may not…), but I have struggled with my faith for some time and have only recently began the trek back to the fold and putting my faith and future into God‘s hands.  The beginnings of this journey have been amazing and the more I walk in faith the greater my life is becoming.  Read this story, it may warm your heart…it may make you cry (I did, but I cry at commercials!) or you may not care, but I do and hope to be able to repay all of the love and support my family, friends and fellow Keller Williams agents have shown me during this past year…enjoy:

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on the ground.

The man slowly looked up.

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. “Leave me alone,” he growled….

To his amazement, the woman continued standing.

She was smiling — her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. “Are you hungry?” she asked.

“No,” he answered sarcastically. “I’ve just come from dining with the president. Now go away.”

The woman’s smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

“What are you doing, lady?” the man asked angrily. “I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. “Is there any problem, ma’am?” he asked..

“No problem here, officer,” the woman answered. “I’m just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?”

The officer scratched his head. “That’s old Jack. He’s been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?”

“See that cafeteria over there?” she asked. “I’m going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile.”

“Are you crazy, lady?” the homeless man resisted. “I don’t want to go in there!” Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. “Let me go, officer. I didn’t do anything.”

“This is a good deal for you, Jack” the officer answered. “Don’t blow it..”

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived…

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. “What’s going on here, officer?” he asked. “What is all this, is this man in trouble?”

“This lady brought this man in here to be fed,” the policeman answered.

“Not in here!” the manager replied angrily. “Having a person like that here is bad for business..”

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. “See, lady. I told you so. Now if you’ll let me go. I didn’t want to come here in the first place.”

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled……. “Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?”

“Of course I am,” the manager answered impatiently. “They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms.”

“And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?”

“What business is that of yours?”

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company.”

“Oh.”

The woman smiled again. “I thought that might make a difference.” She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. “Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?”

“No thanks, ma’am,” the officer replied. “I’m on duty.”

“Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?”

“Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice.”

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, “I’ll get your coffee for you right away, officer.”

The officer watched him walk away. “You certainly put him in his place,” he said.

“That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this.”

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. “Jack, do you remember me?”

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. “I think so — I mean you do look familiar.”

“I’m a little older perhaps,” she said. “Maybe I’ve even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry.”

“Ma’am?” the officer said questioningly. He couldn’t believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

“I was just out of college,” the woman began. “I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn’t find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat.”

Jack lit up with a smile. “Now I remember,” he said.. “I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy.”

“I know,” the woman continued. “Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble… Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right.”

“So you started your own business?” Old Jack said.

“I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.” She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. “When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons…He’s the personnel director of my company. I’ll go talk to him now and I’m certain he’ll find something for you to do around the office.” She smiled. “I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet… If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you.”

There were tears in the old man’s eyes. “How can I ever thank you?” he said.

“Don’t thank me,” the woman answered. “To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus…… He led me to you.”

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways….

“Thank you for all your help, officer,” she said.

“On the contrary, Ms. Eddy,” he answered. “Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And.. And thank you for the coffee.”

God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor.

God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close..

Thoughts?  Would love to hear from you…

Motorcycle Details

Vicki Reed

 

Graduation Season…

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This morning I attended the 5th grade graduation of my niece Riley, we are in the midst of a string of such occasions that will stretch for the next several years…and I am always amazed by the same things each and every time I attend one of these events…so I thought I would share a few guidelines:

1.  Be respectful of the children, this is their moment, not yours.

2.  Clean yourself up a little, no you don’t have to buy new clothes, but make certain that what you are wearing is decent, clean and neat – no bathing suits and cover-ups because you are hitting the pool after the program, torn t-shirts and dirty sweats are not acceptable!

3.  Dress appropriately, no need to look like a hooker or dress like you are going clubbing and gentlemen, remove your hats, it is the appropriate thing to do when indoors.

4.  Turn off your cell phone…there isn’t anything happening in the hour or two of the program that can’t wait.  If you can’t wait, take it outside!  Don’t take a call, then tell the person you are busy, but go ahead and have a conversation with them about what you are doing, all the while still sitting in your seat and talking in a normal voice…the rest of us don’t need to know, we are there.

5.  If you have small children, sit in the back of the room and be prepared to step outside when they start screaming, don’t just let them scream and disrupt the program for everyone.

6.  Just because your child has received their certificate/diploma/award stay quiet and let the others enjoy their child’s moment too.

7.  Stop bitching that you don’t think it will ever end….if you don’t want to be there, leave!

8.  Don’t invite your friends then sit and chat with them during the program, go to lunch after and talk then.

I realize that this is coming near the end of the “season” but in case you have more to attend, please understand, this is an important moment in these children’s lives…celebrate it, enjoy it and let them have their day, there are enough tough times in this world, everyone deserves to feel special for their shining moment.

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Vicki Reed

Thank you to those that serve…

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Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. There are many stories as to its actual beginning, there is evidence that organized women’s groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War, but Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966 and it’s difficult to conclusively prove the origins of the day.  It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860’s tapped into the general human need to honor our dead and each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868.  It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 – 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children’s League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans’ organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their “Buddy” Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.   The graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored and neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few exceptions. Since the late 50’s on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye’s Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: “Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public’s nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.”

What will you do in observance of Memorial Day?  Will you wear a red poppy?

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Vicki Reed