Government got it right with Memorial Day observance

Fold him in his country's stars.

-- George Henry Boker

I think Memorial Day is the most sacred of government holidays -- a truly deserving day of thoughtful remembrance for heroic sacrifice.

But it's relatively new in the holiday pantheon.

When I first began work as a Chronicle reporter more than three decades ago, it was not a holiday you got off. And even newspaper accounts in the 1960s referred to it as "Yankee Memorial Day."

Things change. This time for the better.

OLD TIMERS: A huge crowd came to Lake Olmstead Stadium last week to see former Atlanta Brave hero John Smoltz pitch.

It's clear baseball fans love to see these guys on the field, and I say, why stop with John Smoltz?

Sign Augusta GreenJackets owner (and baseball Hall of Famer) Cal Ripken Jr. to a one-day contract and let him get in a game.

Bring back Dale Murphy . And Sid Bream . Let them DH.

And don't tell me Phil Niekro can't still get his knuckleball over the plate.

POSTCARD ADDRESS: Yes, our summer vacation postcard contest is under way. We hope to get all 50 states again, so get out there this summer and send us a postcard.

Bill Kirby, 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901.

(Our operators are sitting by. )

BLOG ALERT: Ever heard of George P. Burdell ? Let me tell you about this most famous Georgia Tech alumnus and his link to Augusta. It's at my Our Town blog at augustachronicle.com.

TODAY'S JOKE: Everett Fernandez shares this one.

It seems a 95-year-old woman at the nursing home received a visit from one of her fellow church members.

"How are you feeling?" the visitor asked.

"Oh," said the lady, "I'm just worried sick!"

"What are you worried about, dear?" her friend asked. "You look like you're in good health. They are taking care of you, aren't they?"

"Yes, they are taking very good care of me."

"Are you in any pain?" she asked.

"No, I have never had a pain in my life."

"Well, what are you worried about?" her friend asked again.

The lady leaned back in her rocking chair and slowly explained, "Every close friend I ever had has already died and gone on to heaven. I'm afraid they're all wondering where I went."

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com.