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Many of us have witnessed or experienced a serious illness, an accident, personal assault, or other traumatic events. As time passes, the grief typically fades, the pain lessens, and life gets back to a seemingly normal state. Most people recover from these traumatic events, but some may experience severe distress, anxiety and depression for months or even years afterwards. Symptoms that can deeply affect the individual include reoccurring and intrusive thoughts, upsetting triggers, nightmares a …

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving our country. It is observed on the last Monday of May. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 28th. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971, but has been celebrated long before it became official.  Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day, came about after the Civil War. The leader of the Northern Civil War Veterans organization requested that there be a remembr …

For the past 150-some years, while the Confederate battle flag has monopolized attention with its corrosive symbolism and inflammatory bluster, a different, largely unknown Confederate flag -- the Confederate Flag of Truce, which the South used in the process of surrendering to the North -- has been quietly waiting for its moment in the spotlight. That moment is now.Hoping to start a new conversation around the Civil War artifact, textile and social practice artist Sonya Clark has conceived a ma …

In January, a consumer contacted FMAA regarding an American flag he had purchased on Amazon from a company called VSVO. The flag he received carried the FMAA certification label and he wanted to make sure that FMAA had certified this company's products.An FMAA member then purchased one of these flags and it also arrived bearing the FMAA certification label. After a little online research, it was confirmed that VSVO is incorporated and manufactures in China. VSVO is not a member of FMAA and FMA …

The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration that is awarded to recognize service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. It is normally awarded by the President in the name of Congress at a formal ceremony in Washington, DC. The medal is also known as the “Congressional Medal of Honor.” Three versions of the award for the Army, Navy, and Air Force can be awarded. The Navy version of the medal is also awarded to those in the Coast Guard …

Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, the first Girl Scouts troop meeting took place in Savannah, GA with 18 girls. Low wanted to create an organization that would allow girls to leave their homes and serve their communities, experience the outdoors, and give them the opportunity to develop “self-reliance and resourcefulness.” Their name was the “Girl Guides.”The Original Girl Scout Law Written by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912: A Girl Scout's honor is to be trustedA Girl Scout is loyalA Girl Sc …

Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, including the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate these popular local traditions into the new faith. As a result, the excess and debauchery of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, which is still the tradition to …

March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days. It is the month when winter ends and spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn ends and winter begins in the Southern Hemisphere. March has a long history that includes many important cultural, religious, and historical events. In this article, we will explore the origin of the month of March and the various cultural events and celebrations that take place during this month.March in the Roman CalendarMarch w …

On February 26th, 2019, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is also one of the Wonders of the World, next to The Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. Though the Grand Canyon has been around long before it became a National Park, we have chosen to give you a history lesson in the National Parks Service of the United States.The first effort of conserving land by the United States as a nation was in 1832 when President A …

Held annually on February 14th, Valentine's is a celebration of love. While most of us celebrate Valentine's Day by giving our loved ones mementos and love-filled tokens such as flowers, cards and chocolates, the holiday has quite a dark past. Valentine's Day wasn't always a celebration of lovers. Believe it or not, it once was a Pagan springtime festival named Lupercalia.LUPERCALIA Celebrated each year on February 15th, Lupercalia was known as the spring festival of purging and purifica …