MetaFilter posts tagged with memorial

Remembering the dead

MuffinMan — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:16:20 -0800

Every evening since July 2nd 1928*, at precisely eight o'clock, the Last Post has been played under the Menin Gate in Ieper (Ypres, "Wipers" as it was known to British tommies), Belgium. The ritual - performed by buglers from the local fire brigade - honours British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in the five battles at Ypres in the First World War. Today is the 27,888th day of the Last Post ceremony. Completed in 1927, the Menin gate is a memorial to the 54,896 Commonwealth soldiers who died without graves - the missing in action. The town itself has over 100 military cemeteries. Winston Churchill said of the town, "I should like to acquire the whole of the ruins of Ypres... a more sacred place for the British race does not exist in the world." *In fact, during the Second World War the Germans banned the ceremony, and the bugles were hidden away. On the day the Polish entered the town and retook it in 1945, the ceremony started again.

It was never easy being green, but Jim made it a bit easier.

Lord_Pall — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:28:37 -0800

It's Not Easy Being Green. If Just One Person Believes in You, I'm Going to go Back There Some Day, Memorial Melody, When the River Meets the Sea, Bring Him Home, Oh When the Saints. Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, Bernie Brillstein, the Henson family.

"What we are seeing in this project is that all of Europe was a camp."

kirkaracha — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:07:59 -0800

"What we are seeing in this project is that all of Europe was a camp." The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum just released the first volume of a projected seven-volume Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933-1945. "They assumed the finished work would be massive, featuring a staggering 5,000 to 7,000 camps and ghettos. They underestimated by 15,000." Sample articles: Buchenwald/Halle, Early Camp/Hainewalde, and Early Camp/Hainichen.

An Gorta Mor - 150 years later

dbmcd — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:05:21 -0800

Today marks the first National Famine Memorial Day in Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Actually the first day in a week of activities (.pdf), Skibbereen was one of many areas in western Ireland hard-hit by the famine (or Great Hunger). Wikipedia does an excellent job explaining the many complexities - it was caused not just by a fungus, but by political will on the part of an oppressive government (as are most modern famines). Many physical memorials have been erected, including the haunting Coffin Ship in Westport, Co. Mayo, and a simple plaque honoring the dead on the Famine Road near Doo Lough, erected in 1994. The main inscription reads: "To commemorate the hungry poor who walked here in 1849 and walk the third world today.", inscribed on the north side is a quote from Mahatma Ghandi: "How can men feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings?", and on the west: "In 1991 we walked AFRI's great famine walk at Doolough and soon afterwards we walked the road to freedom in South Africa" by Desmond Tutu. The always-excellent RTE1 program, Sunday Miscellany featured writing about Skibbereen in its May 10th show - not sure when the podcast will show up.

Rauschenberg Memorial

R. Mutt — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:57:28 -0800

As was noted previously, Robert Rauschenberg left us ealier this year at age 82. The webcast of a private memorial for Robert Rauschenberg’s friends and family will be viewable tonight for one time only at 9 p.m EST.

Memorial Day

msaleem — Sun, 25 May 2008 11:46:58 -0800

Memorial Day it seems is getting a bad name in recent years. But as the politicos run around like crazies, we mustn't forget the little things about the holiday, its history and what it stands for, and even its more traditional customs like grilling, and of course flag etiquette.

Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:03:29 -0800

Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial

the other Public Enemy + Anthrax collaboration

Challahtronix — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:04:31 -0800

The Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., Processing and Distribution Center opened in December 2003 with little fanfare. Formerly the Brentwood (D.C.) Post Office, it was renamed by House Resolution 3287 in honor of the two postal workers killed after two letters containing anthrax passed through on their way to Capitol Hill. They died from respiratory ailments related to inhaling anthrax spores while on the job, 17 others who worked there were sickened. A letter containing anthrax sent to Sen. Daschle's office apparently was damaged in transit and spores were released. Postal officials deemed the plant safe for work even as Capitol Hill workers received antibiotics to counter anthrax released by letters processed at Brentwood. Both workers went to the doctor feeling ill, but returned home afterwards. Both died shortly thereafter. After that occurred, the government closed the facility and renovated & fumigated it, costing "easily $130 million". Their deaths have been memorialized in other ways- a five year memorial was held where Sen. Barbara Mikulski spoke, saying that they died "as heroes in the war on terrorism". And a former co-worker (and inventor of the Footballbot™ and Four Way Checkers™) sells plaques, t-shirts, and mugs in their memory in order to establish a day of remembrance. Although the new name is somewhat misleading; all outgoing mail is now sent to Maryland for processing which had the interesting effect of almost eliminating the DC postmark. Current status of the FBI's investigation, Amerithrax, is here.

Lest We Forget

dbarefoot — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:03:04 -0800

In many Commonwealth countries, today is Remembrance Day. From Wikipedia, it's "a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war". Today it's worth reading a few famous wartime poems, and pausing in thanks to those who have fought for your country.

In the hollow of an unarmorial age

Abiezer — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:23:59 -0800

“Iraq War Memorial: Death of Prince Harry" features the in fact hale and hearty royal scion "laid out before the Union Jack with pennies placed over his eyes and head rested on the Bible...Prone with his unfired gun still holstered, Prince Harry is represented clutching a bloodied flag of Wales, and holding to his heart a cameo locket of his late mother, Princess Diana, while a desert vulture perches on his boot...a bronze casting of Prince Harry’s 'severed ears' also set for display at the Trafalgar Hotel will be offered on eBay." Via.

Cold, hard spy devices. Or not.

Zinger — Mon, 07 May 2007 05:41:23 -0800

Updatefilter: Apparently a poppy was the cause of espionage accusations. As reported here on the blue, some US contractors were apparently freaked out by a novel Canadian coin which featured a red poppy. The coin was issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, an organization that makes Canadian cash as well as currencies for other countries. The Mint, which is definitely worth a tour if you're in Ottawa, won an award for the coin. The coin was issued to honour Canadian war dead; the poppy is the symbol of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Speeches. And Herb!

miss lynnster — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:08 -0800

104 year-old Herb Hamerol was the lone survivor on hand at this year's 101st memorial for the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. To some people he's a celebrity. Truth is, to attend the memorial he took the day off from his long-held job as a stock clerk at Andronico's supermarket. Yes, read that paragraph again.

The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic

ClaudiaCenter — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:31:06 -0800

The Lives They Left Behind. Previously on MeFi, the Village Voice article. Related are efforts to restore cemeteries located on the grounds of old "insane asylums," creating memorials See information from Washington, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Georgia.

Iraq Veterans Memorial

homunculus — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 21:55:25 -0800

The Iraq Veterans Memorial is "an online war memorial that honors the members of the U.S. armed forces who have lost their lives serving in the Iraq War. The Memorial is a collection of video memories from family, friends, military colleagues, and co-workers of those that have fallen." A project of the Brave New Foundation. [Via Bushflash.]

RIP Larkin.

docgonzo — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 09:41:26 -0800

Ryan Larkin [1943-2007]

Leslie Harpold Remembered

amphigory — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:07:00 -0800

Leslie Harpold Remembered When her annual advent calendar was not updated after December 7th people all over the web started to express concern over Leslie Harpold's absence. Sadly it has been confirmed that she died sometime last week. I think Leslie would be touched to see the way friends and strangers have spontaneously posted remembrances of her via a medium she loved and help mold.

Off we go, into the wild blue yonder...

matty — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:12:00 -0800

The Air Force finally went and got themselves a proper memorial. Although he’s now deceased, the man who designed it also designed some other buildings around town. It’s a unique structure, with time-tested big lead balls to compensate for the wind. On opening day, a ‘sky-parade’ of old and new aircraft paid tribute, flying overhead in sequence. Some like it, some don’t.

Slow news day.

mek — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 20:56:18 -0800

Canadian PM Stephen Harper expressed his "disgust" over the Canada Day incident. Royal Canadian Legion spokesperson Bill Butt described it as “abhorrent” and “vile,” and demanded increased security. Ottawa police described the case as a priority. If only we had some sort of fence, or corral, to prevent this sort of disaster. The virtual manhunt has begun, but we need your help: have you seen this man?

Another senseless death

jennababy — Sat, 13 May 2006 19:52:19 -0800

A memorial ride is taking place tomorrow in New York City in memory of a fourteen-year-old boy who was rundown on his bike last year. This man is responsible for the death and there are many unanswered questions. No charges have been filed, but what is more disturbing is the lack of remorse from the young man who was responsible for this tragedy.

Just like me!

Biblio — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:20:23 -0800

The Uncanny Valley of the Portrait Dolls Wouldn't your daughter like a doll that looks just like her? Wouldn't your son love to pal around with his very own clone? You can get it done in paper, felt, cloth, plastic, bobblehead, porcelain or magnets! For schoolgirls, toddlers, babies (preemies too!) and even fetuses. Don't worry Mom and Dad, you can get them too!

Just a post

brautigan — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 13:46:20 -0800

9-11 I've never posted a link before and don't mean to create any debate or make any statement. I just thought that before the day was out we do the obvious and remember.

Big September 11th Sale!

clgregor — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 11:52:13 -0800

NYC Remembers: Public Service Audio and Video Ads

"It's our big September 11 sale! Take 30 to 40 percent off every item throughout the store! Plus early birds take an additional 10 percent off! . . . Doors open early and stay open late!" (Video Ad 3)

The ad is the creation of One Day's Pay (similar post from 9/11/04) a nonprofit group working to establish Sept. 11 as a national day of volunteering. [via]

“Living Memorial”

R. Mutt — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 06:48:56 -0800

The winning design for the National AIDS Memorial Design Competition has been announced. Janette Kim and Chloe Town's "Living Memorial" references forest fires, and will be located in the National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Walter Hood, a juror, called the design a “gutsy anti-landscape element that reflects anger, death—and eventual healing and renewal.”

Via Con Dios, Doc.

helvetica — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 16:41:16 -0800

Hunter S. Thompson's ashes WILL be blasted from a cannon mounted inside a 53-foot-high sculpture of the journalist's "gonzo fist" emblem. You can see Hunter & Ralph Steadman plan these details in the BBC documentary Fear & Loathing in Gonzovision.

Hero stones

dhruva — Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:01:29 -0800

Hero stones are carved stones (found all over India) erected in the honor of a brave man or woman who perished while defending the interests of the village. Image search.