FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

By Irving Serrano Sr

We`ve just passed the Memorial Day weekend. The smell of barbeque in the air. For many, it`s a time where we remember and hold tribute to our loved ones who fought in pass wars. Or loved ones who served in any one of our Armed forces. Our children feed off the happy times. For many it`s the time of year where they get to meet up with their cousins, or other family members. To visit with each other, spend the day at the beach, an amusement park, camping, fishing etc. The adults pretty much carry the weight, as to teaching their young what the specific meaning of their celebrations are truly about. Many people know and accept that Christmas is indicative of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. And many may also know that Easter, for Christian folk, is to acknowledge the Resurrection of Christ. I believe that as Christians, we share a conviction, an obligation to lead by example, everyday, and in all circumstances. In the many stories we read in our Bibles, we never see or witness anyone who put God, to the side. Goes about getting what they want, or doing what they want, then coming back to Christ, as if He (GOD) sanctioned the very thing they did. All through out the Old testament, we can see what happened to those sons that did not find favor in Gods eyes. The consequences followed accordingly. But we can also see how those that found favor in the eyes of God, were truly blessed. This is a promise that still exist today. God, does not make empty promises. Everyday that goes by, I feel I am living proof of His mercy, and also His wonderful blessings. I thank God, for my parents. The best thing they did for me, was to raise me with the ability to come to know, the God of their Fathers, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everyday, in all I do. I encourage my children, to acknowledge and come to know the God, of their Father. We cannot live ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. This very Gospel is what our fathers lived by. This very Gospel is what will save your children. And one day, your children's children will honor you, as you honor your parents, your elders. Those that fought the good battle, and are no longer with us. I am truly blessed. Recently, I was in a quiet whisper of a prayer. When I opened my eyes, I find my 16 month old Grandson, sitting next to me, imitating me. I guess he figured;" if my Pop-pops doing it, I`ll do it too!" This reminds me of an Old passage; Instruct a Child in the way ( Gods way), when he is old he will never forget. May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr

JFK WOULD BE 95 YEARS OLD TODAY

We tend to forget how young Kennedy was when he was elected, and still how young he was when he died.

He remains the youngest man ever elected president.

He died at the earliest age of any man to serve as President.

He was the first President born after 1900 - his immediate predecessor, Dwight David Eisenhower, had been born in 1890, graduating from West Point 2 years before Kennedy was born.

The last three presidents have been younger than I am. As young as Clinton was when sworn in, he was still older than Kennedy, who was the first president younger than my father, himself a veteran of WWII.

That presidency serves as a demarcation in American history. Not all that occurred on JFK's watch was good - after all, we embarked on the Vietnam adventure, its beginning now 50 years ago. We had the Bay of Pigs.

But Kennedy drew a line on Civil Rights which was important. He committed us to space exploration. He drew an important line on Cuba, and manage to end that confrontation without conflict.

Whatever we may think of him as a man, however we may think of parts of his presidency, it is certainly appropriate today to pause and reflect. His presidency may have been short, but its impact was important.

His death marked a loss of innocence for our nation. Remember, he rode in an open top car.

John F. Kennedy May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963.

THE POEM ROBERT FROST WANTED TO READ AT JFKS INAUGURATION

When he climbed the stage at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961, poet Robert Frost intended to read "Dedication," a poem he'd written for the occasion.

Famously, though, the glare from sunlight bouncing off the snow was too bright that day for Frost to read the words. So instead, the 86-year-old poet recited another of his poems, "The Gift Outright," from memory.

But at today's ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's inauguration, "Dedication" finally echoed across Capitol Hill, read aloud by chaplain Daniel P. Coughlin of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Unlike "The Gift Outright," "Dedication" was written specifically for Kennedy, even making reference to his razor-thin victory over Vice President Richard M. Nixon. ("The greatest vote a people ever cast, / So close yet sure to be abided by.")

And it ends with a poignant hope that the new president would lead the nation to the "next Augustan age" -- "A golden age of poetry and power / Of which this noonday's the beginning hour."

The full text of Frost's poem for Kennedy is after the jump.

Globe file photo: Robert Frost in 1958.

Dedication

Summoning artists to participate
In the august occasions of the state
Seems something artists ought to celebrate.
Today is for my cause a day of days.
And his be poetry's old-fashioned praise
Who was the first to think of such a thing.
This verse that in acknowledgement I bring
Goes back to the beginning of the end
Of what had been for centuries the trend;
A turning point in modern history.
Colonial had been the thing to be
As long as the great issue was to see
What country'd be the one to dominate
By character, by tongue, by native trait,
The new world Christopher Columbus found.
The French, the Spanish, and the Dutch were downed
And counted out. Heroic deeds were done.
Elizabeth the First and England won.
Now came on a new order of the ages
That in the Latin of our founding sages
(Is it not written on the dollar bill
We carry in our purse and pocket still?)
God nodded his approval of as good.
So much those heroes knew and understood,
I mean the great four, Washington,
John Adams, Jefferson, and Madison
So much they saw as consecrated seers
They must have seen ahead what not appears,
They would bring empires down about our ears
And by the example of our Declaration
Make everybody want to be a nation.
And this is no aristocratic joke
At the expense of negligible folk.
We see how seriously the races swarm
In their attempts at sovereignty and form.
They are our wards we think to some extent
For the time being and with their consent,
To teach them how Democracy is meant.
"New order of the ages" did they say?
If it looks none too orderly today,
'Tis a confusion it was ours to start
So in it have to take courageous part.
No one of honest feeling would approve
A ruler who pretended not to love
A turbulence he had the better of.
Everyone knows the glory of the twain
Who gave America the aeroplane
To ride the whirlwind and the hurricane.
Some poor fool has been saying in his heart
Glory is out of date in life and art.
Our venture in revolution and outlawry
Has justified itself in freedom's story
Right down to now in glory upon glory.
Come fresh from an election like the last,
The greatest vote a people ever cast,
So close yet sure to be abided by,
It is no miracle our mood is high.
Courage is in the air in bracing whiffs
Better than all the stalemate an's and ifs.
There was the book of profile tales declaring
For the emboldened politicians daring
To break with followers when in the wrong,
A healthy independence of the throng,
A democratic form of right devine
To rule first answerable to high design.
There is a call to life a little sterner,
And braver for the earner, learner, yearner.
Less criticism of the field and court
And more preoccupation with the sport.
It makes the prophet in us all presage
The glory of a next Augustan age
Of a power leading from its strength and pride,
Of young amibition eager to be tried,
Firm in our free beliefs without dismay,
In any game the nations want to play.
A golden age of poetry and power
Of which this noonday's the beginning hour.

EVERY SUNDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY

“Memorial Day is an official holiday in most states of the United States. It was observed on May 30 until 1971, when for federal employees,, the date was changed to the last Monday in May. With the exception of Louisiana, all states observing Memorial Day adopted the change. It is also known as Decoration Day.

The custom of placing flowers on the graves of the war began on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, NY, and Waterloo has been recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. In 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, then president of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 would be a day to decorate with “flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.”

After World War I the day was set aside to honor the of all American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian. The most solemn ceremony conducted on Memorial Day is the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns located in Arlington national Cemetery.

Some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day--April 26 in Georgia, the last Monday in April in Alabama and Mississippi, and May 10 in South Carolina. Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina do not observe the general holiday, and in Virginia the last Monday in May is called Confederate Memorial Day.”


Tomorrow we will celebrate this day. Many people see it as just a day off; a 3 day weekend. But for those who have lost someone because of war or military action, it means much more than a day off.

In fact, every American ought to recognize this day out of his patriotic duty to his country and in honor of those who spilled their blood to make America what she is today--free, strong, and a nation worth fighting for.

Because men have died for this country, we have the right to preach God’s word freely. We have the right to live at peace in our own homes. We have the right to pursue peace, prosperity and happiness. Thank God for those who died to make us free.

As we prepare to enter into a day to remember those who died for liberty, it is fitting to remember the one who died to set us free from spiritual tyranny. Jesus fought the armies of Hell that we might have liberty in his holy name.

We celebrate Memorial day once a year to remember those who died for freedom, but every week is a celebration of the Memorial of Christ. Let’s parallel our nations Memorial Day with the memorial day of Christ. Because for the Christian, every Sunday is a memorial day.

On Memorial Day we

1-Mourn the Loss

2-Remember the Lives

3-Are thankful for the Sacrifice

In light of Christ’s battle, let’s examine evidence of our memorial in Him as we recognize the likeness of our celebration of our military.

On Memorial Day we

1-Mourn the Loss

We remember the loved ones who died, wish they were here and not gone; here to share with us, to hold, to talk to and to see. But because of death, we can not.

When people die, we naturally think of the “If Only’s”

“If only I had told him I loved him”;

“If only I had kissed her one last time”;

“If only I hadn’t spoken so harshly”.

We replay those doubts over and over in our minds. but we ultimately know those “If Only’s” would not change a thing.

On the Lord’s Memorial Day, we are to examine our responsibility to Christ’s . The Christian must recognize that he is very responsible for His death. “If only we had not sinned he would not have had to die.”

But we are to blame. We must examine ourselves as we meet around his memorial as if we would stand before a mirror and realize the truth in ...

Rom 3:23

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

I am the one to blame. I caused all his shame. He was publicly humiliated, beaten, spit upon, treated as a sinner because I am a sinner.

As we mourn the loss of Christ, realize that we are the guilty ones. And know that if there only be one sinner who was lost, He still would have died. His love is that great.

Matt 18:12-14

12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

We are that lost sheep and Jesus found us.

Mourning the loss is the first thing we must do as we celebrate the memorial of our Lord. This is why Jesus gave us the bread. At communion. The first thing you do with the bread as you partake of this memorial is break it. Whether you physically break it with your hands or you chew it, you break the body of Christ. Just as our sin broke the physical body of Christ.

On Memorial Day we:

1-Mourn the Loss and

2-Remember the Lives

Part of our emotional healing in the process of grief is to rember the lives of the loved one who has passed.

The headstones we put on the graves are a testimony of who those people were. I took a walk in our own cemetery and there were some remembrances of those who died. Let me share with you some epitaphs I found.

Gone So Soon

Beloved Sons (on a stone of twins who died near the same time)

Dear Parents, Though we will miss you much, we know you rest with God.

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Faithful Unto Death

Gone But Not Forgotten

A Tender Mother and a Faithful Friend

Go Spirit, Go Thy Way

Savior, More Than Life to Me

At Rest

Asleep in Jesus

The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want

Life’s Work Well Done She Rests in Peace

Age 64, 7 months, 9 days At Rest

All of these messages tell us a little about the one who is buried under that headstone. Likewise the epitaph that Jesus left tells us something about him. Inscribed on just about every communion table I have ever seen are the words found in

1 Cor 11:24

24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."

What must we remember about Jesus?

To answer I would like suggest that he would like us to remember how He lived and what he taught through His life. He set a glowing example of how to live in love. Our life should reflect that love.

The bread that we first have broken is a reminder of the body of Christ. We are vividly reminded each time we observe this memorial that we are a part of the body of Christ.

When we physically eat this bread it becomes a part of our body. Our body uses this bread for our nourishment.

But Jesus doesn’t only want us just to be physically nurtured as we meet around the table but he also wants us to be spiritually edified.

This remembering is not simply the recalling of historical facts, it’s a participation in spiritual realities.

At the Lord’s Table we don’t walk around the monument and admire it. We have fellowship with a living Savior as our hearts reach out by faith.

If we approach this memorial in the proper attitude we will experience spiritual growth. Just as our physical body grows when fed properly.

The opposite is also true. If we approach the table in a haphazard manner then we take

something that is of the highest of religious ceremonies and make a mockery of it. And there will be Hell to pay for the one who cares not for what his Savior has done

1 Cor 11:27-29

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.(kjv)

I remember the first time I heard this verse. My father read it during a communion meditation. I have not taken communion in the same way since.

Christians, do not make light of this Memorial Feast. “Do this in remembrance of Him”

On Memorial Day we

1-Mourn the Loss

2-Remember the Lives

3-Are Thankful for the Sacrifice

ILLUSTRATION from “Stories from the Heart”

It was a few weeks before Christmas 1917. The beautiful snowy landscapes of Europe were blackened by war.

The trenches on one side held the Germans and on the other side the trenches were filled with Americans. It was World War I. The exchange of gunshots was intense. Separating them was a very narrow strip of no-man’s-land. A young German soldier attempting to cross that no-man’s-land had been shot and had become entangled in the barbed wire. He cried out in anguish, then in pain he continued to whimper.

Between the shells all the Americans in that sector could hear him scream. When one American soldier could stand it no longer, he crawled to that German soldier. When the Americans realized what he was doing they stopped firing, but the Germans continued. Then a German officer realized what the young American was doing and he ordered his men to cease firing. Now there was a weird silence across the no-man’s-land. On his stomach, the American made his way to that German soldier and disentangled him. He stood up with the German in his arms, walked straight to the German trenches and placed him in the waiting arms of his comrades. Having done so, he turned and started back to the American trenches.

Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder that spun him around. There stood a German officer who had won the Iron Cross, the highest German honor for bravery. He jerked it from his own uniform and placed it on the American, who walked back to the American trenches. When he was safely in the trenches, they resumed the insanity of war!

That German soldier was thankful for that American soldiers sacrifice.

All the heroic acts done on the battlefields through history have made our country what it is today. We are free. We are wealthy and we  are respected around the world..

I am proud to be an American and I have the luxuries of this country because men have died to give me what I have.

Similarly the price Jesus paid afforded us salvation. We have the promise of salvation and we did nothing to afford this luxury. For this we must be thankful. This is why Jesus have us the cup.

1 Cor 11:25

25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my ; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

When we drink the juice, we remember our forgiveness. It is the blood of Jesus that He spilt in order to clean our hearts from sin.

The old hymn says it best:

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Are you washed in the blood , in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

If you listen to Phil Goodwin’s prayer around the table just about every time he prays for the cup he refers to this next verse.

Heb 9:13-14

13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.

14 How much more, then, will the of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to , so that we may serve the living God!

When you were immersed, a lost, unclean sinner stepped into the baptistery. The preacher announced your intent and declared that he was baptizing you for the forgiveness of your sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life.

3 unmerited gifts given to you. the grace of God was poured out onto you. Now that is something to be thankful for!

I hope that after today’s message you will make time to spend around the Memorial of Christ.

1-Mourn the loss of the body of Christ and examine your responsibility to it as you break the bread.

2-Remember the life of Jesus as you compare your life with his. Eat the bread and realize that you are one with his body.

3-Be thankful for His sacrifice because it is through His that you are saved; partake of the cup and be thankful for His sacrifice that offered your forgiveness.

This Memorial Day, remember your Savior and His Memorial.

Perhaps the Memorial we observed today is unfamiliar to you. Maybe you are outside of Christ.

You can have the forgiveness that is promised to all and claimed by few.

WHO LOVES YOU

By Irving Serrano Sr

As children we all grow up learning and immitating grown-ups. In games, and making believe we were workers of some sort. Even if we really was`nt doing things correct, it seemed right. This is also true with followers of Jesus Christ. In our Bibles, we read about the Apostle Paul; many times in his travels, he found himself having to tell certain folks,` No No No, your doin it all wrong". In Colossians 1:9-15, Paul  Paul spoke about his prayer to the Colossians;" for this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God, to fill you with the wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him, in every way. Many people know and understand that prayer is needed. They even ask Christian folk to pray for them, because though they may not walk the walk. They still know and believe the power of prayer. Others take it for granted. When Our Lord Jesus, was in the garden of Gethsemane, He sought to submit to the will of the Father. Many of us turn this around. We spend our time pleading with God, that OUR will be done. We want God to give us what WE want. We want Him to see the wisdom of OUR desires, instead of US; seeking His will for us. Some even think that praying" thy will be done", is a weak prayer. The reality is that WE come to understand Gods will as we come to understand God. In our marriage relationships we very often can tell you what our spouse will say to a certain request. How can we do this? We have come to know our mate. We know what they like, and doone who created us. The importance of daily communication through prayer cannot be taken for granted. It is so important that it is mentioned 250 times in scripture. Daily prayer gives us the opportunity to share all aspects of our lives with God. Daily prayer gives us the chance to express our gratitude for the things he provides. Daily prayer provides the platform for confessing our sin, and asking for help in overcoming that sin. Daily prayer is an act of worship and obedience, an acknowledgement of who really is in control of our lives. Life's circumstances change on a daily basis. In fact, they can go from good to bad, to worst in a very short time. God calls us to bring our concerns  not like. We develop a knowledge of what their will is. The same is true of God. We understand his plan and purpose in life as we come to know him in the Bible, through prayer and through our obedience. As followers of Jesus Christ, prayer is the best way to communicate with God. Prayer is the vehicle for a daily dialog with the to him for disposition and potential blessing. He calls us to share our joys and triumphs with him. In fact, Jeremiah 33:3, states; "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know". God wants us to call on him so that he can answer our prayers. He also wants to share with us incredible blessings that we might otherwise have missed, had we not reached out to him through prayer. And finally, James 4:8; tells us to " Draw near to God, and he will draw near you", God wants us to be close to him at all times. May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr 

CARMEN ORTIZ WINS GALA AWARD!

Flash-Carmen G. Ortiz, the beloved Former Choir Director of La Sinagoga received a Gala Award for Lifetime Achievement. Gala Officials had huddled for months to present this Special Award to  this Wonderful woman of God who has labored tirelessly for the cause of Christ and has served as an inspiration to generations

Biography of Carmen Gonzalez – Ortiz On 12 February 1935, the 2nd child of eight children was born to Carmen Diaz – Gonzalez and Raimundo Gonzalez-Gonzalez in Santurce, Puerto Rico. In 1948, Raimundo Gonzalez migrated to New York City for employment and in 1950 brought his family to New York. Carmen was 15 years old when the family arrived and was enrolled in Lydia F. Wadleigh High School in Manhattan, NY. She was a shy student who academically excelled in school. Her records were pulled from Puerto Rico only to find she was a straight “A” student there as well. When Carmen graduated high school she was asked by her school principals if she had applied to colleges. She explained that her counselor had stated students from outside of the country need not apply. This is when God again, stepped in and used her Principal Dr. Wewerka to assist in her application to CUNY-Hunter College. Carmen graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelors Degree in Arts. Ever since the family arrived in NYC, they attended and were members of La Sinagoga Pentecostal Church originally on 65 East 109th Street and later on 115-125 East 125h Street in NYC under the Pastoral leadership of Rev. Abelardo Berrios. On 29 October 1960 Carmen married Saul Ortiz; also from La Sinagoga Pentecostal Church. Carmen was choir director and a member from 1950-1994. She relocated with her husband Saul in 1991 to East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania after retiring as a Supervisor of Social Workers for NYC. During those 3 years she continued to attend La Sinagoga on weekends. Carmen has been a pillar and a matriarch to those who know her. She has instilled her love of God and family as passed down by her parents. She has imparted her love of reading, education and music to many generations. All in all, Carmen says that it is by God’s grace that she has experienced all that she has. He continues to bless her abundantly and in all things, she gives God the glory, honor and praise.

Spanish Encore

 La Biografía de Carmen Gonzalez - Ortiz El 12 de Febrero 1935, Carmen Gonzalez, el segundo de ocho niños nació a Carmen Diaz – Gonzalez y Gonzalez-Gonzalez de Raimundo en Santurce, Puerto Rico. En 1948, Raimundo Gonzalez emigró a la Ciudad de Nueva York para el empleo y en 1950 trajo su familia a Nueva York. Carmen tuvo 15 años cuando la familia llegó y fue matriculada en Lydia F. de Wadleigh Escuela Secundario en Manhattan, NY. Fue una estudiante tímida que sobresalió académicamente en la escuela. Sus registros fueron transferidos de Puerto Rico para solo encontrar que fue un estudiante estelar allí también. Cuando Carmen se graduó del la escuela secundario le pregunato sus directores si había aplicado a colegios. Explicó que su consejero había indicado que estudiantes que no eran del país no debian aplicar. Esto es cuando Dios otra vez, dio un paso y utilizo a su Principal para aplicar al Colegio del CUNY-HUNTER. Carmen se graduó magna con laude con una Licenciatura en Artes (B.A.) Desde entonces la familia, llegada en NYC, fueron miembros de La Sinagoga Iglesia Pentecostal originalmente en 65 East 109th Street y más tarde 115-125 East 125th Street en NYC bajo el liderazgo Pastoral del Reverendo Abelardo Berrios. El 29 de Octubre 1960, Carmen se casó con Saul Ortiz; también de La Sinagoga Iglesia Pentecostal. Carmen fue directora del coro y un miembro de 1950-1994. Trasladó con su marido Saul en 1991 a E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania después de jubilarse como supervisora de asistentes sociales para NYC. Durante esos 3 años continuó asistir La Sinagoga en fines de semana. Carmen ha sido un pilar y matriarca a los que la conocen. Ha inculcado su amor de Dios y familia como pasó por sus padres. Ha impartido su amor de leer, la educación y la música a muchas generaciones. Todo en total, Carmen esta muy agradecida por la gracia de Dios en todo lo que ha hecho y tiene. Nuestro Dios continúa bendecirla abundantemente y en todas las cosas, ella Le da a Dios la gloria, honra y alabanza.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

The History of Mother's Day

In May of 1905, Anna M. Jarvis made a vow that would change the face of calendars forever. Her mother had longed for a special holiday to honor mothers, and Anna vowed to finish the job her mother had started. It would be nine years of hard work before President Wilson signed the official Mother's Day resolution, making official the holiday that started as a way to honor one special mother.

Anna's mother was Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis, the founder of the Mother's Day Work Clubs. She organized these clubs to improve sanitary conditions in her city. The club raised money for medicines, made bottled milk and food inspections, and provided domestic help for mothers who had tuberculosis. The clubs spread throughout the area. During the Civil War, the clubs acted as neutral agents, serving the soldiers of both sides. This was a time of personal tragedy for Anna, as she watched eight of her 12 children die before reaching adulthood.

Near the end of the war, Anna organized a Mother's Friendship Day at the courthouse to bring people of both sides together in peace. Many were afraid the event would backfire and lead to violence, but the event was peaceful and so successful that it was repeated for many years.

Anna died, and her daughter Anna led a small service designed to honor her mother on May 12, 1907, two years after her mother's death. She then went to work making Mother's Day a national holiday. She and her supporters wrote thousands of letters to businessmen, politicians and clergymen, seeking their help in establishing the holiday. In 1908, the first official Mother's Day celebrations were held in West Virginia and in Philadelphia in 1908. Philadelphia was the first state to make Mother's Day an official holiday in 1910, and by the next year, most states had declared a Mother's Day holiday.

After Woodrow Wilson had declared Mother's Day a national holiday in 1914, Anna may have thought her work was over. Unfortunately, the holiday took on a commercial tone, and in 1923, Anna filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother's Day festival. Later, she was arrested for disturbing the peace at a Mother's Day convention. She was furious to find the white carnations she had designated as the official Mother's Day flower being sold. "I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit," she protested. She eventually admitted to being sorry she had ever started the holiday, and she spent all of her inheritance trying to return the holiday to its loving intentions.

Anna Jarvis, the woman who gave us Mother's Day, never married and never became a mother herself, although she received Mother's Day cards from around the world every year.