Monday is Memorial Day, a day for many that includes a celebration of hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chicken, and basically anything that can be cooked on a grill. It is also the holiday weekend that signals that summer has arrived!
But it is a lot more than that also. Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those that have died serving our country, was originally called “Decoration Day.” It was first observed on May 30, 1868 when the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with flowers at Arlington National Cemetery.
It was not until after World War I that the day became “Memorial Day” to honor the fallen soldiers of any war. In 1971, Congress passed the bill proclaiming the last Monday in May as the official recognized “Memorial Day.”
Here is a link to the history of this all-important day:
http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
There are a number of ideas that come to mind on what to do this weekend. With record high temperatures forecasted, the lake is probably the best place to be!
Two-Foot Cove is a popular cooling off spot on Old Hickory Lake. There is a volleyball net to keep things jumping! Don’t worry, the channel is clearly marked and just the volleyball area is the “two-foot” deep part.
While you’re at Old Hickory Lake, why not visit Blackjack Cove Marina, and The Black Pearl Restaurant. They are already on their second batch of Captain’s Punch and the weekend hasn’t even started yet! The Black Pearl is open all weekend and you will not want to miss it’s awesome Sunday Brunch, a great atmosphere accompanied by steel drums.
Here are more scenes from Old Hickory Lake for your enjoyment.
Everytime I see Ingram boats on the river, I am amazed. In the above picture, the HB Stewart is pushing 6 barges filled with coal. Hard to believe that it would take 318 tractor-trailers to haul the same amount.
Another fun and inexpensive outing would be a boat ride from the legendary Cherokee Steak House, near Gallatin. Visit www.cumberlandrivercruises.com for more information.
So get out there, fire up the grills and ice cream churns, slice some watermelon, and enjoy this weekend. But please, take a few minutes for remembrance and tribute of those who died protecting these very things we enjoy. And if you get a chance, thank a living soldier or veteran too!
Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340. Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee
nashvillehomesblog.com 
Hi Trey,
Our Daddy, Harry B Stewart, Jr. is the “man behind the boat” so to speak, and my brothers and I sure appreciate you posting the pix, as does his wife Jean, who still lives in Nashville. Daddy lived to be nearly 91! Thanks! Daddy worked for Ingram Materials, Inc. and its predecessors from 1948 to his retirement as VP in 1983. I believe he was “proud-er” of the boat than he would admit. My brothers and I grew up in Nashville, although today none of us live there. But we love the City. Interestingly, there was a earlier vessel, the “Harry A.” that everyone thought was named for Daddy, but it was for a former company owner, Harry A. Crichton.
Good job on the blog, and yes, it is good for you to blog. I tried it and like it. But that is another story… [smile]
John Stewart
Birmingham, AL
Hi John! Thanks so much for your comments! Although I never knew your father, it almost seems like I did having seen the HB Stewart all over the area lakes and rivers over the past years. Martha Denton was a family friend back before I was born and we had the pleasure of taking her out for a day on the river before she died. That day, she told us all about the different people the boats had been named after. When she moved to Louisiana in her latter years, we still remained in contact. Every time I spoke with her, she asked “what have I been doing on the river lately?” speaking of her namesake. I am sure your father felt the same way and we’ll think of you and your family whenever we see him pass!
Thanks, Trey! You made my Memorial day! It’s a great blog!
Jean Stewart
Thank you Jean! I hope you had a great holiday weekend and glad you enjoyed seeing the pictures of the HB Stewart. I’ll send you some more when we pass him again!
Thanks indeed for your tributes to veterans and the MV Harry B. Stewart. I am John’s older (middle) brother and have many wonderful memories of visiting towboats with my Dad, Harry. The engines had cylinders a small boy could just about crawl into during overhauls, and the crew ate some of the most wonerful food imaginable. Many of them were farmers and worked 20 days on and 10 days off, if I remember correctly. I especially liked the view from the pilot house and the reassuring vibration of the engines. My Dad was always concerned for their safety and would go out to check on their operating practices from time to time.
I also have good memories of Old Hickory Lake whether fishing, boating, scouting, or just hanging out. I’ve been over a good bit of the world in the USAF and airlines and Nashville is really hard to beat. Allthough I’ve lived in S. Florida for over 20 years, I still love Nashville and come home whenever I can.
Thanks for a really fine blog.
Richard Stewart, Boynton Beach, FL
Thanks for the kind words Richard! Nashville is hard to beat for sure! How neat that you got to visit the differnt boats growing up. Over the years, I ahve been on a few, but none while they were “working.” One of these days!
Thanks again for commenting and also for your service in the USAF!
Trey-this is great and though I am reading after Memorial Day I’m still really enjoying it and you have given some great ideas of things to do on the lake which I will try to check out. And though it is after memorial Day we should continue to honor and give thanks to those who served and are serving!
You are so right! Thanks for reading and enjoy the lake this summer!
you are so right! Thanks for reading!
I really couldn’t ask for more from this article.