Meaning of
Memorial Day
As Memorial Day approaches, I hope our community takes a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this solemn day. Unlike Veterans Day, which honors all who have served in our armed forces, Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice—the men and women who died in service to our country.
Here in Waverly, we are not untouched by that sacrifice. Behind every flag placed on a grave or every wreath laid in remembrance is a grieving family—neighbors, friends, classmates—who live daily with the cost of our freedoms.
To those families: we see you, we honor your sacrifice, and we will not forget your loved one’s courage. Let this day be more than just a long weekend. Let it be a pause in our busy lives to say thank you—to bow our heads at the local cemetery, to teach our children about the price of liberty, and to live in a way that honors those who never made it home.
Mark Brown
Waverly
Plant sale thanks
The Waverly Garden Club would like to thank everyone for donating plants and flowers, and for those who came to the sale and purchased items, supporting our mission of community planting and giving. Thanks to the many garden club volunteers and members who prepped for the sale and worked the sale.
Many times if you see a garden box, landscaped area near shelter houses, welcome signs or other city areas, chances are they were planted by Waverly Garden Club members or our proceeds helped fund them. This year our proceeds will go toward purchasing a kaleidoscope planter for the community and tourism.
The Waverly Garden Club was organized in 1935, and even though times have changed, in the years since it began, interestingly enough, the purpose and programs are much the same.
In the early 1930s, a time when progress was measured by the invention of the tin can (that stored food, milk and vegetables), a St. Andrew’s Episcopal pastor’s wife in Waverly was upset about the families that were bringing their tin cans to town and dumping them along Lover’s Lane and around the pretty river and parks.
Disgusted at the trash and the awful way it made the beautiful Cedar River look, Mrs. Giles Sharpley put the word out, organized a group in her backyard and handed out tasks to those in attendance. Thus, the Waverly Garden Club was born. Her yellow house and backyard are still intact and can be found east of the Fareway store parking lot.
We very much appreciate the partnership with Leisure Services and Park’s staff. A big thanks to them for helping us! The Waverly Garden Club has a rich history in this community, and we invite you to join us for future meetings, events and sales. For more information, please check out our Facebook Page:
Ann Henninger and Kris Brunkhorst
Waverly
Pride flag
The letter writer refers to a comment made during the May 13 meeting of Waverly’s Human Equity and Diversity Commission.
I’m writing in reply to Josh Rouser’s comments on the Gay Pride flag. No Josh, the blue stripe does not mean “attracted to young boys†nor the pink stripe “attracted to young girlsâ€
This kind of misinformation and slur does little to promote a positive discourse. The pink and blue stripes mean I’m not ashamed of who or what I am.
A dear gay acquaintance said to me, “Do you think I just woke up one day and thought, “How can I make people hate me? I know, I’ll turn gay!†He was born that way. He didn’t read a book in a library. He wasn’t coerced by an adult when he was a child. As the Hallmark card says, “God doesn’t make junk.†He was born gay and a child of God, just like you.
Pejorative statements such as yours continue the prejudice and create fear and ill will. As Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people persecute you.â€
Kathryn Huisman
Clarksville
