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Remembering Memorial Days

It always rained on Memorial Day.  That was something you could always count on.

Another thing you could bet on was that Dad had to travel somewhere to give a Memorial Day speech.  On some weekends, he would deliver multiple speeches in multiple towns around central South Dakota. Mom would ask one of us to travel with him.  As she'd say, "he likes the company." 

I'm not sure I heard that many speeches, even though I accompanied him on many trips over the years.  While he was speaking to the veterans...I would wait in the car reading comic books or magazines.  And when I was desperately bored...I would do my homework.  I remember a few times where he delivered a 9:00 o'clock speech, and once completed, we'd head off to another small town so he could make his 11:00 o'clock speech engagement. 

One of the more memorable weekends occurred when he was asked to speak in North Sioux City, Iowa.  While this was quite some distance from Eureka, it had one appealing element...it was the start of racing season. 

After the speech, he took me to the Dog Races.  For the first five or six races, he gave me $2.00 to bet on a dog.  By the 6th race I had $20.00 in my pocket.  This was a lot of money in those days.  By the seventh race, Dad told me that I had to fund any bets with the money I had made earlier.   So, I gave him $2.00 to place a bet...and after the race was done, I had lost the $2.00.  I remember being upset that I lost so much money...I refused to bet anymore that day. 

The following are photographs of John Smith and his association with the American Legion.  See actual card on left:  Click to Enlarge.