Cover Photo by Mark R. Day

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Speech: "Graveside Service Honoring George Washington Meals"


We are gathered to honor the life of George Washington Meals, a soldier of the American Civil War, however in the larger sense we are also honoring the legacy of an American family.   The progenitors of George Washington meals were among the first settlers of our nation.  In the Mid-Eighteenth Century Samuel Meals, George’s Great Grandfather came to Pennsylvania, from the German Rhineland, seeking the opportunity to enjoy a new life and following the American Revolution the Meals family grew and prospered.  Ultimately the family established itself in Adams County near the town of Gettysburg were George Washington Meal’s father Gabriel founded a monument works and George was born in 1840.  While, I have no direct evidence of it, patriotism and love of country must have been taught in the Meals home for Gabriel Meal’s children were staunch patriots.  In the nations hour of need George and his brother William both served in the Union Army and patriotism in the Meals family was not limited to the men but also ran deep in the character of the women of the family.  George’s sister Lydia bravely confronted Confederate soldiers who had plundered her home during the early stages of the Battle of Gettysburg and was only constrained, from pummeling the confederate soldiers verbally, by the insistence of her mother to be quiet.  

Today we specifically stand upon this sacred site to honor George Washington Meals, who served with Battery F, 4th United States Artillery.  His unit saw many battles, but most significantly he was present at the battle of Gettysburg in 1863 where he stood on his own families land and saw action repelling Pickett’s Charge on July 3rd 1863. While we can never know his thoughts at that moment, I believe he undoubtedly understood the meaning of the situation.  He was defending his home and the fate of the nation was hung in the balance.  Only victory would be a sufficient outcome and so he persevered and gave his all to achieve it.

Now on behalf of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, I publicly thank the George Washington Meals and his entire family for their dedication to our nation and I am honored to stand at the graveside of a soldier, a patriot, an American to whom we owe thanks for his service to preserve the Union in its darkest hour.   

 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Letter to the Editor: "Council making big mistake on tourism"

     The recent events surrounding Lynchburg City Council, the local tourism board and the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce nothing less than tragic for the hundreds of businesses and thousands of individuals who rely on tourism in the greater Lynchburg region for their economic viability.
     To say that the majority of council members, supporting the dissolution of the current tourism board and the discontinuance of the cities contract with the chamber, are short-sighted and have undercut the city’s ability to advertise and promote itself is an understatement. In Charlottesville and Roanoke, they are cheering the unprecedented destruction of Virginia’s most honored and awarded tourism program, and these cities are looking to capitalize on Lynchburg’s mistake.

     Whatever the proprietary and budgetary reasons were, for City Council’s hostile takeover of tourism promotion in Lynchburg, they could not have outweighed valuable and productive work that had been accomplished by the chamber and the its staff over many years.  Irreplaceable personal contacts, award-winning programs and a highly respected reputation throughout the state have been thrown over in a coup d’état by an oligarchy comprised of politicians who have an agenda to obtain total control over decision-making regarding tourism.  For those who believe that government is best able to manage tourism rather than an outside agency, whose soul purpose is the promotion of business, I would ask, do you really think that is the best way to go? The tourism industry in Lynchburg will become yet another victim of bureaucratic tomfoolery, and it will become mired in the debate over resources and budgets, which will debilitate and stagnate economic recovery in Central Virginia.


MARK R. DAY
Lynchburg

Monday, November 4, 2013

Letter: Veteran's Day Message to the Second Military District, SVR


Commander Second Military District, SVR
Major Mark R. Day
104 Mullbury Place, Lynchburg, VA 24502
 
Brothers,
     On Monday the 11th of November,  our nation will once again honor the memory of the veterans who have served in its defense.  On Veterans Day 1961 then President John F. Kennedy made the following comments, "I do not believe that any nation in the history of the world has buried its soldiers father from its native soil than we Americans - or buried them closer to the towns in which they grew up."  After reading that short statement, I paused to think and realize that America's veterans have indeed shed their blood on their native soil and  every continent or ocean.  Beginning with the soldiers and sailors of the Revolutionary War and right up to our current operations in Afghanistan,  our nation has relied on its sons and daughters to offer themselves, their  families, and their treasure in sacrifice to the aims  of Freedom and Liberty  throughout the world.  
     This veterans Day, as we go about the normal chores and duties of home and work, let us remember that our world remains filled with tension and conflict.  America will always have need of Sons and daughters who are willing to commit to securing the freedom of our people.   Veterans Day must  never cease to be the day and time when we stand arm to arm and rank to rank in  a salute to those we owe such an immense debt of gratitude because:
They answered the call to duty
They left their homes to fight
They served with courage and honor
They held back the black veil of night
We owe them our deepest gratitude
We should honor them with our praise
They stood the watch in darkness
They are the bulwark of freedom and truth
Their nobility the light of hope in the midst of crisis
Their lives a testimony to Liberty's dream
     May the Lord God Bless the men and women who have served and who are serving even now.  May he protect them and deliver those who serve in far off places back to their loved ones.  Remember the Veterans on Veterans Day and all the days of the year " lest we forget"  the debt we owe to them.
In Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty
Mark R. Day
Commander Second Military District


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Poem: "A Poem for America's Veterans"


They answered the call to duty

They left their homes to fight

They served with courage and honor

They held back the black veil of night

We owe them our deepest gratitude

We should honor them with our praise

They stood the watch in darkness

They are the bulwark of freedom and truth

Their nobility the light of hope in the midst of crisis

Their lives a testimony to Liberty's dream
 
 
Written by Mark R. Day 11-3-13, Copyright by Mark R. Day 11-3-13, all rights reserved.

Poem: "The Invisible Host"


 
Silent always silent, but close within their  arms.

The hidden host is with us through every trial and storm

Though invisible to the eye, they live within our hearts

A memory of joyous moments and loving days gone by

They have made the transformation and prepare a place of joy.

They provide a strength that upholds us and fill our hearts with love.

So take the time to listen and remember to let them touch your soul.

Written by Mark R. Day 11-3-13 Copyright by Mark R. Day 11-3-13, all rights reserved

One of a series of poems inspired by the sermons of Rev. William Montgomery, Pastor of Heritage United Methodist Church, Lynchburg, Va during the summer and fall of 2013.

 

Poem: "Coming Home to the Celebration"


 
 

Welcome to the Party, which calls to every soul

A celebration of salvation, free from tears of fear and woe.

The invitation always open, regardless of sin or hasty life.

An act of reclamation, the sin reduced to ash

A celebration of renewal, the Party courses on.

Till all the lamps are lighted and the children all are home.

Written by Mark R. Day 11-3-13 Copyright by Mark R. Day 11-3-13, all rights reserved

One of a series of poems inspired by the sermons of Rev. William Montgomery, Pastor of Heritage United Methodist Church, Lynchburg, Va during the summer and fall of 2013.

 

 

Poem: "Prayer of Submission"


Calm me O Lord!

Sooth  my anger

Grant me love to share

 

Open my heart O Lord

instill tolerance in me

Grant me love to share

 

Open my eyes O Lord

to  the needs of others

Grant me love to share

 

Fill my mouth O Lord

with words to heal

Grant me love to share

 

Make me a Blessing O Lord

for all, that cross my path

Grant me love to Share

 

Written by Mark R. Day 11-3-13 Copyright by Mark R. Day 11-3-13, all rights reserved

One of a series of poems inspired by the sermons of Rev. William Montgomery, Pastor of Heritage United Methodist Church, Lynchburg, Va during the summer and fall of 2013.

Poem: "Farming for Hearts"


 

Every farmer understands the beauty of a seed

For the farmer  knows the bounty of his harvest will  spring from just such seeds.

Some people  will look at a seed and see a small and insignificant object.

Those people fail to see the possibility hidden in the tiny seed

They do not recognize the energy and zeal, that  lies within.

However, the farmer knows that if the seed is tended; its full potential will burst forth.

A human heart is very much like a seed unseen and holding unrealized beauty

Some people will never see the love a heart can give.

Pray, that like the farmer tends his crop, the people will tend to hearts

For there is a bountiful and beautiful harvest, awaiting to burst forth.
 
Written by Mark R. Day 11-3-13 Copyright by Mark R. Day 11-3-13, all rights reserved
One of a series of poems inspired by the sermons of Rev. William Montgomery, Pastor of Heritage United Methodist Church, Lynchburg, Va during the summer and fall of 2013.