Today we are here to remember those who have died in defense of our nation, that the rest of us might live in peace and freedom. Memorial Day, which began in 1868 as Decoration Day to honor Union soldiers killed in the Civil War, now includes all wars and military actions. Since 1971, when the date was changed from May 30 to the last Monday in May, we have had a three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend. I’m glad you took the time to be with us this morning.

Our defenders are still dying. We’ve lost over 6,800 American service members in Iraq and Afghanistan in the years since those wars began. (more…)

NEWS
Willie Nelson has donated major portions of his collection of correspondence, manuscripts, records and awards to The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin. The Willie Nelson Collection, soon to be the focus of an exhibit on the UT Austin campus, will offer scholars a deeper understanding of Willie’s music, career, relationships and creative process. Willie is releasing a new studio album, Band of Brothers, in June. Its 14 tracks will include nine brand new songs written by Willie.

Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada, celebrated the 100th birthday of hometown boy Hank Snow on May 9th at the Hank Snow Home Town Museum. It took three years of planning and will continue as an annual celebration called Hank Snow Day. (more…)

NEWS
A crowd of 300 gathered at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville to remember George Jones on the first anniversary of his death. Nancy Jones, who organized the event, stood in front of the “He Stopped Loving Her Today” headstone to talk to her husband’s fans. She led the planting of two dogwood trees. Keith Bilbrey served as master of ceremonies and joked that George was in heaven happily drinking water with Waylon Jennings. Larry Gatlin, a recovering alcoholic, argued, “Maybe heaven is being able to have just two and not have 10.” (more…)