As a child, we always went to the cemetery on Memorial Day. I grew up in a community where my parents had also grown up so we had a history there. None of the neighbors or relatives who’d passed were lost in battle and few were in the military but we went, regardless. We cleaned up the grave sites and placed peonies grown in my grandmother’s yard.
Photo courtesy of Photographer, Poet and Teacher MagicalMysteryTeacher.wordpress.com
My grandmother always called it Decoration Day and in fact, that was what it was called up until 1868 when it became an holiday. Memorial Day is officially a day to honor those who have died in our nation’s service. There is evidence of decorating the graves long before it was proclaimed however. A hymn published in 1867, “Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping” by Nella Sweet was dedicated “To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead”.
Drive through any small town where people have roots and histories and you will see the lines of cars today. Some take fresh flowers and others adorn the headstones with silk flowers that they’ll come back to collect over the next week so they can reuse them next year. This, like President’s Day, is celebrated on a Monday – the last Monday in May so that workers can take full advantage of a 3-day weekend.
I love 3-day weekends but admittedly, it contributes to a diluted sense of meaning. We slept in, took an amazing hike, made delicious green smoothies and watermelon slushies and then we went to see The Sapphires – a true story which took place during the Viet Nam war, and are contemplating our evening meal.
In writing this, I have uncovered a movement started by the late Senator Daniel Inouye to change the day back to May 30th. The reason is to restore the traditional date of observance that it was and should be. I’m thankful for that reminder. During this weekend, I’m also reminded that we would’ve been pulling the first yellow squash of the season and eating them battered and fried. These days I’ve lightened up.
Yellow Squash Gazpacho
-
3 lbs yellow squash, seeded and cut in 1/2 inch segments (I didn’t seed the small ones)
- 6 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 1 Tbs. kosher salt
- 3 Tbs. olive oil (enough to cover the bottom of a heavy soup kettle)
- rice vinegar
- black pepper
- lemon juice from 1 lemon
- chopped celery, tomatoes, carrots for garnish
Heat large soup pot over medium heat. Pour in olive oil and heat until fragrant. Add garlic, squash, and salt. Wait until the pot begins to sizzle and then reduce to low heat and cover. 
Leave it for at least 45 minutes until the squash is cooked through. Turn off the heat and let the squash rest for 15 minutes. Then, using an immersion blender or food processor, puree the squash until creamy. Place in a pitcher and refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, add the oil, vinegar, black pepper (the original recipe calls for white if you prefer), and lemon juice. Stir to mix and serve topped with diced vegetables.
I’m serving this in ramekins for the kids as this may be a bit challenging for them. There’s always more if they love it.
Agrigirl's Blog 
montucky
/ May 27, 2013I also grew up where there was a lot of family history and tradition. Nearly all of the males in my family were in the military. My brother was wounded on Iwo Jima and my brother-in law was on the Yorktown when it went down. The women knew the heartache and worry about their men being in harm’s way.
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013It gave the holiday a real sense of meaning. For those of us who care, I think there need to be some other ways to instill what the day is about. My kids have probably never even been to a cemetery.
Rukmini Royr
/ May 27, 2013I love squash. I love it in curry, I love it in salad, we cook it with poppy seeds and diced potatoes and they taste great. Need to try this out!
Tammy
/ May 27, 2013it’s so easy and believe it or not, everyone loved it. It would be good with some curry also.
Rukmini Roy
/ May 27, 2013ummm…where did the other comment go? 😦 I said I love squash and we cook it with potatoes and poppy seeds. If you do happen to find that comment, kindly delete this.
Need to try this 🙂 We get squash only when its winter!
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013Now you’ve said it twice. 🙂
cindyricksgers
/ May 28, 2013This sounds like a wonderful gazpacho, and one I’ll try when I have summer squash from the garden. Lovely post…thank you, Tammy!
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013It is so easy too Cindy. I love things that I can whip together and then forget about.
Carrie @ Season It Already!
/ May 28, 2013Your yellow squash gazpacho looks beautiful!
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013It went over very well – all 3 kids liked it. The vinegar and lemon finishing really make it pop.
nrhatch
/ May 28, 2013Glad that all enjoyed the Squash Gazpacho.
I’m on the fence about moving Memorial Day to the 30th. I expect that those who want to honor the dead do so over the 3-day weekend. And that those who don’t, won’t, no matter what day of the week Memorial Day falls on. If families spend the day together, it’s all good.
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013I guess I’m just a bit melancholy when we lose a tradition – clearly lost amongst my boys.
Lynn
/ May 28, 2013I always learn something from your posts! Love the yellow squash gazpacho – it’s so colorful, a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. 🙂
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013It is a beautiful color and so tasty.
Sally
/ May 28, 2013Beautiful reminder and lovely looking meal! I spread roses on the water each year for my loved ones, with special thanks for the lives they lived. Your history lessons are always so wonderful. What a lovely day you shared with your family!
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013Thanks Sally. Wish you could’ve been here with us.
lucindalines
/ May 28, 2013Thanks for the history lesson. I knew that there was a date for Memorial Day at one time, but had forgotten which date. I also like the words Decoration Day, seems more fitting, I will have to remember that concept the next time I fitz about it. Perhaps I would enjoy it more if I remembered its really meaning rather than the one it has become in my hometown.
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013I like the name Decoration Day also.
Eggs In My Pocket
/ May 28, 2013My family observed Memorial day the same way when I was young! The Gazpacho looks wonderful!
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013I feel bad that we’ve lost that Kathleen.
dayphoto
/ May 28, 2013I am 4th generation in the same spot…lots of history in our cemeteries for me. I take my children every year and now my grandchildren…it is something that I find important to do.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013It is important and bless you for continuing it.
Melissa
/ May 28, 2013My hometown has that same kind of history. I moved away, so I likely will have a different resting place, and that feels a little sad to me. I even had a summer job there that included mowing the cemetery. I took it very seriously and was careful to replace the decorations nicely and assure there were no grass clippings on the stones, etc.
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013You’ve seen it up closer than most Melissa!
Island Traveler
/ May 28, 2013That is one beautiful tradition. Remembering our family, friends and the heroes who died to defend our country is truly noble and inspiring. So much is going on in our world that people forget what this day really means.
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013We do forget. It’s nice to remember. In many small towns now, they do the high school reunions on this weekend. That’s a nice idea if you’re more likely to remember in a setting where you grew up.
Michelle Tuton
/ May 28, 2013This touches my heart. Thank you!
Michelle Tuton
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013Thanks Michelle and thanks for reading! I removed your phone number from the comment – not sure if you intended to leave it. See you on words!
nats1mom
/ May 28, 2013What a great tradition Tammy! Is the squash from your garden? It’s beautiful! I must admit, never had squash cooked this way; it looks yummy!
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013No, this is squash from Desert Roots Farm – our CSA. I love that the recipe uses so much and it’s very good.
hotlyspiced
/ May 28, 2013That’s a lovely holiday and it’s so important to pay respect and stop to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We have something similar called ANZAC Day. xx
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013What does ANZAC stand for Charlie?
Three Well Beings
/ May 28, 2013I love the gazpacho recipe. I never would have come up with this, so thank you. Love my squash! 🙂 I wish everyone took the time to honor the meaning of Memorial Day. I don’t think returning it to the 30th would actually accomplish that. People seem to either “get it” or they don’t. Even in the busyness of the busy Los Angeles area there were many meaningful ways to observe the day. I was so glad to see that. Lovely post!
Tammy
/ May 29, 2013I think you’re right about moving to the 30th. I hope you will try the squash this way.
Lisa H
/ May 29, 2013It has been along time since I heard “Decoration Day.” Our family never celebrated Memorial Day with the tradition of going to the cemetery; my grandfather was MIA presumed dead and “buried” overseas during WWII. The remaining families were buried in Minnesota and Virginia (we lived in CA). I think it’s wonderful you had a tradition to celebrate the day and the people who helped make America such a wonderful place to live.
Tammy
/ May 31, 2013I’ll bet there were some pretty strong decoration traditions where your grandparents were from, Lisa.
yummychunklet
/ May 29, 2013Happy belated Memorial Day!
Tammy
/ May 31, 2013And to you.
typewriter poetry
/ May 29, 2013Surreal that I’m reading this now, as my father is taking to a cremating sales representative in the living room.
This year I’ve been learning a lot more about the ‘real’ history of Memorial Day. Holidays have such a traditional air about them, it’s hard to remember that traditions, like everything, changes.
Tammy
/ May 31, 2013They do change but it saddens me when they are forgotten as I believe that makes them sort of extinct. Tradition and the stories that develop from them are what makes us human – even if it does change.
kirsten@farmfreshfeasts
/ May 29, 2013Tammy I’d eat this soup! Using the immersion blender would help my kids with it, so definitely something to think about when summer squash season comes around.
I did not grow up with the decoration day tradition, since we grew up far away from my parents’ home communities, but my spouse’s family does this. It’s a lovely tradition.
Thank you.
Tammy
/ May 31, 2013I was a bit nervous about how the soup would be received and didn’t need to be. I have another recipe that is similar for zucchini except that you also but in bacon. That makes it easier for my husband and kids to eat anything.
inherchucks
/ May 29, 2013Gorgeous colors!
Thanks for sharing and linking up 🙂
Tammy
/ May 31, 2013It is really festive and any sort of spice could give this an ethnic twist; cumin, mustard seed, oregano, etc.
Sartenada
/ May 31, 2013When shooting photos from churches, I always visit on our cemeteries where are war memorials. I spend a silent moment thinking how many small villages there were after war having only nearly young children and old men. Women had to do same work than their decedent husbands and also their own work. War widows and orphans are the forgotten part of the people.
Tammy
/ May 31, 2013That’s a really good point and something that I hadn’t thought about. You’re right about it being a forgotten part since the focus is on the fallen hero.
Inger Wilkerson
/ May 31, 2013My mother’s retirement community displayed photos from the local honors flight for the Memorial Day time frame–moving shots and a very timely tribute. The color on your raw gazpacho are gorgeous!
Tammy
/ June 2, 2013Yes, that doesn’t surprise me that it was honored in a retirement community.
kateshrewsday
/ June 2, 2013Glad you had a great long weekend, Tammy, and and I am full of admiration at your self control in not battering and frying the squash. I would have been severely tempted. Your alternative looks so colourful!
Tammy
/ June 2, 2013Oh, I love it battered and fried Kate but this soup is light and lovely. I make gazpacho rarely so wasn’t sure how the notion of cold soup would go over. It was a hit!
naimavanswol
/ June 2, 2013I love your stories and food and family history! This soup look out if sight.
Tammy
/ June 4, 2013It rocks! I hope you try it. Thanks for the nice compliment.
dianescholten
/ June 3, 2013I think it’s so important to honor the dead soldiers on Memorial Day. I too heard it called “Decoration Day” growing up. My dad (who died in January) was very proud of his WWII service and we made sure it was prominently mentioned in his obituary. Thanks for remembering!
Tammy
/ June 4, 2013Not too many seem to remember it as Decoration Day! Thanks for the comment Diane.
Linda
/ June 4, 2013I passed an old 19th century cemetery on my trip down Route 66 last week. Most of the graves had broken headstones and the fences had fallen. There was one fence still very much in tact, however, and it surrounded the graves of some Civil War heroes. They even had fresh flags on their graves. It was so neat to see that even these long-lost heroes’ graves- out in the middle of nowhere- had not been forgotten.
Tammy
/ June 4, 2013What a great trip! So glad you got to see memorial like that!
Kath
/ June 4, 2013Something like Memorial Day is a very foreign concept for me. Being born and living in Germany, these are very unsafe waters. (Most) Germans aren’t at all proud of their history, nor are they about their country.
Tammy
/ June 4, 2013Wow, that’s a different perspective. I hadn’t thought about it Kath. Thanks for sharing.
Kath
/ June 5, 2013This is one thing I love about blogging: that it gives you inside into how people live in different countries. So fascinating! 🙂