Waterloo, home of the first Memorial Day
The story of Memorial Day begins in the summer of 1865, when a prominent local druggist, Henry C. Welles, mentioned to some of his friends at a social gathering that while praising the living veterans of the Civil War it would be well to remember the patriotic dead by placing flowers on their graves. Nothing resulted from this suggestion until he advanced the idea again the following spring to General John B. Murray. Murray, a civil war hero and intensely patriotic, supported the idea wholeheartedly and marshalled veterans’ support. Plans were developed for a more complete celebration by a local citizens’ committee headed by Welles and Murray.
On May 5, 1866, the Village was decorated with flags at half mast, draped with evergreens and mourning black. Veterans, civic societies and residents, led by General Murray, marched to the strains of martial music to the three village cemeteries. There impressive ceremonies were held and soldiers’ graves decorated. One year later, on May 5, 1867, the ceremonies were repeated. In 1868, Waterloo joined with other communities in holding their observance on May 30th, in accordance with General Logan’s orders. It has been held annually ever since.
Waterloo held the first formal, village wide, annual observance of a day dedicated to honoring the war dead. On March 7, 1966, the State of New York recognized Waterloo by a proclamation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. This was followed by recognition from Congress of the United States when the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 587 on May 17th and May 19th, 1966 respectively. This reads in part as follows: “Resolved that the Congress of the United States, in recognition of the patriotic tradition set in motion one hundred years ago in the Village of Waterloo, NY, does hereby officially recognize Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day…”
Memorial Day Weekend Hike to Bourne and Stratton Ponds.
Last year during Memorial Day Weekend, I hiked back to Bourne Pond and Stratton Pond via the Bourne – Stratton Pond Trail and Branch Pond Road.
The trail between those two ponds is somewhat lightly traveled, a bit overgrown and in one spot challenging to follow, but has some beautiful views.
One of the challenges is crossing the Windhall River, but up a ways from the main trail, rocks have been placed to ease with crossing.
Lots of deer and moose poop could be seen along the way.
Being spring time, there was Columbine to be seen along the trail.
As you reach Stratton Pond, you follow the Stratton Pond outflow, a pretty but buggy little stream.
Stratton Pond is quite a nice little pond.
While Bourne Pond isn’t quite as nice, it is very popular with campers during the holiday weekend.
After my hike, I was happy to get back to camp.
Blossums
Apple blossums along the trail hiking at Thacher Park.
Taken on Saturday May 16, 2020 at John Boyd Thacher State Park.Killing time on a Friday night
Grizzle Ocean
It's supposedly named after a logger who bragged that the fish he caught there were large enough to have come from an ocean. These days, the water is stocked with brook trout. Bring a kayak or a fishing pole in warmer weather, or snowshoes in winter. For those who really want to get away from it all, there's a lean-to beside the shore. https://poststar.com/get-out/hiking/grizzle-ocean-in-pharoah-lake-wilderness-area/article_1e20e9dd-d6ee-51ae-a42b-9a6b7f3e5f9c.html