The last Monday in May is traditionally recognized as a federal holiday. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. However southern ladies organizations and southern school children had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond, VA and other cities during the Civil War, with each region having its own date. Today that honor has been extended to all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day weekend has also been recognized as the unofficial start of summer.
By the 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory as people visited graves of deceased relatives in church cemeteries, whether they served in the military or not. It has also become a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500, held since 1911 on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
The huge number of fallen Civil War soldiers meant that burial and memorialization would become important following the war. People in towns, particularly women, had buried the dead and decorated graves during the war. In 1865, the federal government began a program of creating national cemeteries for the Union dead.
According to historian, David Blight, the first Memorial Day was invented by the African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina. It is said that they were telling the world with their flowers, their feet and their songs this was the Independence Day of a Second American Revolution.
The Memorial Day speech became an occasion for veterans, politicians and ministers to commemorate the War - and at first to rehash the atrocities of the enemy. By the end of the 1870s much of the rancor was gone and the speeches praised the brave soldiers both Blue and Gray. By the 1950s, the theme was American exceptionalism and duty to uphold freedom in the world.
The preferred name for the holiday was gradually changed from “Decoration Day” to “Memorial Day”, which was first used in 1882. It became more common after World War II and was finally declared the official name in 1967. On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day to its specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The move changed Memorial Day from its traditional May 30th to its present last Monday in May.
Many Americans attend one of thousands parades held on Memorial Day that feature marching bands and has an overall military theme with National Guard and other servicemen participating with veterans and military vehicles from various wars. However you plan to spend your Memroal Day weekend, please take time to remember our fallen heroes.
Their ultimate sacrifice has made America the greatest country in the world!
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It can only take a second or two, but a loss of focus can lead you to a car accident. Sadly, accidents from distracted driving are more often than mere fender-benders. In 2009 distracted driving led to more than 5400 highway deaths and 448,000 accidents, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here are some of the highlights from a NHTSA report dated September 2010:
- In 2009 5,474 people were killed on U.S. roadways and an estimated 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved “Distracted Driving”
- Of those killed in distracted driving related crashes, 995 involved reports of cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes).
- Of those injured in distracted-driving crashes, 24,000 involved reports of a cell phone as a distractions (5% of injured people in distraction-related crashes).
- 16% of fatal crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
- 20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
- The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group - 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving.
- Of those drivers involved in fatal crashes who were reportedly distracted, the 30 to 39 year-olds had the highest proportion of cell phone involvement.
Most of the distracted-driving -related fatalities (84%) were associated with the general classification of operating the vehicle in a careless or inattentive manner (which could include cell phones, eating, talking to passengers, adjusting a radio, CD Player or MP3 player and looking outside, etc).
But because text messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction. Others such as eating and drinking, using a GPS system, and watching a video contributes to distracted driving as well. One of the newest items to distract drivers are the LED billboards that really light up very brightly, especially at night an takes the driver’s focus off the road.
Bofore the next time you get in your vehicle, think about ways you can eliminate being distracted yourself. The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses. Together we can help save save lives. Remember, there’s no substitute for common sense so be sure to watch out for the other guy…
Jim Glover Chevrolet is excited to be sharing Chevrolet’s 100th Year all month long during November.
CHEVROLET TURNS 100 AND THE JOURNEY IS JUST BEGINNING
When the first Chevrolet was built in 1911 in a rented garage near downtown Detroit, it began a journey that has taken Chevrolet to every corner of the planet. A hundred years and more than 209 million cars and trucks later, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries.
“We have great plans for Chevrolet’s next 100 years,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. “Chevrolet starts its second century with its best product lineup ever and strong growth in major markets in Asia, Europe, and South America.
“Our goal is to build on the foundation laid in our first hundred years to make Chevrolet a hometown brand in home towns around the world,” said Perry.
Global mainstream brand
Chevrolet is becoming GM’s global mainstream brand, the foundation of the company’s business in most major markets. In recent years, Chevrolet has expanded from its traditional markets in North and South America, and its list of Top 10 markets now includes China, Russia, Uzbekistan and India.
Chevrolet today sells more than 60 percent of its vehicles outside the United States. Last year, Chevrolet sold a record 4.26 million cars and trucks, and was the only Top Five global auto brand to grow its market share. This year, Chevrolet is on track to post its best sales in its 100-year history.
Cars and trucks to enhance life’s journey
“Like many of the strongest global brands, Chevrolet is founded in American values that are admired around the world,” said Perry. “Chevrolets are built to enhance everyday life, and to enable people to do more and experience more as they travel through their life’s journey.”
Chevrolet’s deep roots in American culture resonate with many customers around the world, who share the belief that getting behind the wheel is as much about the drive as it is about the destination. This emotional connection between Chevrolet and its customers is so deep that more than 700 popular songs and dozens of films include Chevrolet in some way.
New global products fuel growth
New, globally designed-and-produced models are behind Chevrolet’s record growth. For example, the Chevrolet Cruze is on pace this year to mark 1 million in total sales since its launch. Cruze went on sale in the United States last year, and is now the nation’s best-selling compact car, surpassing all Asian, European and U.S. competitors.
An all-new Malibu sedan will launch this fall in South Korea, along with a global midsize Colorado pickup in Thailand. An all-new Sonic subcompact (Aveo in global markets) goes on sale this fall in the United States, followed by the Spark mini-car in 2012.
Chevrolet was founded on building affordable cars and trucks with style, value and features not offered by competitors. For example, in 1955, Chevrolet re-engineered the V-8 engine in a way that made performance accessible to millions of new customers. The result was the small-block V-8, named by WardsAuto as one of the 10 Best Engines of the 20th Century.
This spirit of innovation continues today. A new Malibu Eco model will include eAssist technology that improves fuel economy by approximately 25 percent. Last year, the first Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle rolled off an assembly line near Detroit, combining electric power and a small range-extending gas engine. The Volt and Malibu are part of Chevrolet’s global electrification strategy to reduce petroleum use and vehicle emissions.
Chevrolet was created in 1911 by auto pioneer and industrialist William C. Durant and Swiss-born race car driver Louis Chevrolet. Durant believed Chevrolet should produce cars offering more style and value than the volume leaders of the time, most notably the Model T.
“Although both men had left GM by 1920, Chevrolet has stayed true to this vision,” said Perry. “Chevrolet’s global presence as it enters its second century is a monument to its founders, and to the many others who have made Chevrolet one of the world’s great car brands.”
Courtesy: GM Media
You go because you can. To hidden waters, your boat loaded with fishing gear. To your favorite beach, sand-encrusted surfboard in tow. Or to a slope coated in fresh powder, snowboard ready to ride.
Adventure can happen anywhere, and nothing gets you to more beaches, streams and vertical drops than a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. It’s rugged bed, AJUSTABLE TAILGATE, available VORTEC 5.3L V8 and AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL let you toss everything for your weekend escape into the bed and head out.
Come Monday morning, Colorado adapts to your professional demands with agility and unexpected highway fuel efficiency! Technologies like BLUETOOTH for select phones and available HEATED FRONT SEATS, as well as safety features like HEAD-CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAGS, remind you that some serious thought lies beneath that tough exterior. Then you’re back to thinking about the weekend and how your Colorado can extend it.
Build your own. Choose from THREE ENGINES: I-4, I-5 or V8. THREE CAB CONFIGURATIONS - and FOUR DIFFERENT EXTERIOR STYLES - WORK TRUCK, Z85, Z71 and SPORT - all engineered to balance your practical side against your heartfelt passion. To the relief of your wallet. The hardest choice you have to make is how you’re going to use your new Colorado for the weekend!
Jim Glover received this email from John B. who is a Joplin, MO resident. The people of Joplin don’t even know what we as a community and Jim Glover Chevrolet are doing to help our neighbors in need. John just happen to be in Oklahoma and saw our commercial about how Jim Glover Chevrolet is an Official Joplin Tornado Donation Center that is accepting Paper and Personal Hygiene Products. We have a Drop-box for cash donations, which is greatly needed, as well. We appreciate John taking the time to email us and show his appreciation for the support that Tulsa is giving to Joplin, MO. If you have something you wish to donate, please bring it to our dealership at 31st & Memorial (I-44 @ Memorial).
“I am from the Joplin MO area and while on my way back from Texas on business my vehichle broke down and I had to get a hotel in Eufaula. While watching the Fox Network I happened to see your commercial about the devastating tornado that we endured and how you much you were doing for our community by donating money from every sale to help with our recovery. I wanted to let you know how touching it is to me to see how much you care. Every time I see or hear about all the generousity coming in from all over the U.S. I get very emotional. I am very proud that you joined in the effort to “Restore Joplin” and wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all you have done and are doing.
To you, your employees and customers I want to personally THANK YOU for everything on behalf of all Joplin and the surrounding areas that were affected. I cannot express enough how much it means to us to have your support.
Thank you and God Bless all of you,”
John B.
