Today in American history…Walt Whitman was born in West Hills, New York on May 31, 1819. Not only was he a famous poet, essayist and journalist but he was also a volunteer nurse for three years during the American Civil War.

One of my favorite quotes of Walt Whitman is, “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”

Today in American history…John F. Kennedy, our 35th US President, was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts 🇺🇸

Memorial Day is about honoring and remembering those who died in defense of our country. Those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This is my Great Uncle Delfo Marini. He was only a young man from Exeter, Pennsylvania when he selflessly left his home many years ago. He was killed in the Pacific and never returned home. #NeverForget #MemorialDay

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we decided to spend a few moments in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia, to pay our honor and respect for those who paid the ultimate price for our beloved country. The soldiers buried here are Confederate soldiers who fought in the battles in Winchester and are laid to rest in what is known as Stonewall Cemetary.

The Confederate cemetery was dedicated in 1866 and Stonewall Cemetery is the last resting place for the bodies of 2,576 Confederate soldiers who died in the fields and hospitals in Winchester. It was impressive to see the beautiful monuments erected to to the States and solemn to see the graves directly around them.

We also learned something new today. General George Patton’s grandfather, George S Patton, Sr. died in the Third battle of Winchester and is buried in Stonewall Cemetery.

We hope that you are doing something – even if it is just a moment of silence – to remember what Memorial Day is all about. Thank you to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our lives, the lives of our children and grandchildren. For our freedom. God bless the United States of America always and forever 🇺🇸

A drive through Stonewall Cemetery located in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. The resting place of 2,576 Confederate soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the three battles of Winchester.

Today in American History…Martha Washington passed away at Mount Vernon on May 22, 1802. Mrs Washington once said, “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.”

(Obituary courtesy of The Mount Vernon Ladies Association. Photo of Mrs Washington info: Credit: Mark Gulezian/NPG

Copyright: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA)

Mamie’s Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

1 Tbs. cream 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder 1 1/2 cup flour

Mix and sift flour, baking powder and salt. Cream butter, add sugar slowly and cream until fluffy. Stir in well-beaten egg yolks and vanilla extract. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with the cream. Chill for one hour, roll and cut in any desired shape. Sprinkle with sugar before baking. Bake in a moderate oven (350 or 375 degrees) for 10 to 12 minutes

(recipe from The Eisenhower Library)