The Daily Dose/May 26, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
USA! USA!: Today is Memorial Day here in the US, a day set aside for honoring our nation’s war dead, a worthwhile and solemn occasion. Its roots date back to after the Civil War, when communities put flowers on the graves of those who died in that war, though it did not become a federal holiday until 1971.
Dry, Technical, Matter: There are probably few families in America who have not had someone go off to war, and while, statistically, most people come back from their war, some do not.
Fly In The Ointment: Over the centuries, approximately 2.8 million Americans have died in battle, with 40,000 more missing. There is no reason to think they’re alive, so think of them today, too, dammit, becaue some became POWs and did not have the benefit of quick death.
A Warm, Personal Remembrance: We are very fortunate: everyone on both sides of our family returned from their wars. Six-time great-grandpa Absalom in the Revolution, Grandpa Gaylon in War I, Dad and Uncle Don in War II. More than one uncle returned from Vietnam, and my late brother returned from the Gulf. In fact, no one returned with so much as a bad case of dandruff. Not every family was that lucky, including two widows we know.
Me! Me! Me!: There wasn’t a war for us to fight, and we spent four years in the Navy mainly catching up on our rest, a treasured pastime to this day.
The Bottom Line: Please, do not thank a veteran or a current servicemember today. It is inappropriate, and they would resent it. Do, however, take a moment to remember those who did not come back and do so without fussing over whether or not you supported the wars they died in. Every one of them died for our country.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has a busy night at the hotel. Today’s Diary.
…you might be thinking ol’ Sparrow was humming on all customer service cylinders here, graciousness oozing, ineffably, from every pore.
Don’t think that. We keep this job because we’re not asked to do too much, and all pesky guests do is get in the way of our treasured project work.
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1868 – President of the United States Andrew Johnson is acquitted by one vote in his impeachment trial in the United States Senate. Johnson had been impeached by the House of Representatives on nine articles in March, most concerning violating the Tenure of Office Act, which forbade the president from removing cabinet members without the Senate’s consent, an act later found unconstitutional. The final not guilty vote was cast by Kansas Senator Edmund Ross, who stated he believed the offense was not deserving of impeachment.
In 1974 – Johnny Rutherford wins the Indianapolis 500 by 22 seconds over Bobby Unser, the only other driver on the lead lap. It was the first of three Indy 500 wins for Rutherford, and remains the only 2nd-place finish of Unser, to go along with two wins. It was the first Indy 500 held on the Sunday before Memorial Day, as previous races had been held on the holiday itself, known for many years as Decoration Day in parts of the US.
In 1976 – Johnny Cash is at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the first of two consecutive weeks with One Piece at a Time. It was the 47th and penultimate Top 10 country hit for Cash and his 17th of 18 #1s. The song also went #1 country in Canada, peaked at #32 in Great Britain, at #29 on the Hot 100, and was Billboard’s 9th-biggest country song of the year.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
It is ridiculous and indecent to suppose that those who have other creeds, gods, and sacred scriptures than our own will be “damned”.
Will Durant
The Story of Civilization, Vol X: Rousseau and Revolution
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus have won the most PGA Championships with five each.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon! It’s not that hard.
Who was the presiding judge in Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial? – Answer next time!
