Timeless Traditions: Where Memories Are Made – Mother’s Day Brunch

Submitted by American Legion Post

How did Mother’s Day itself begin? Research reveals a woman named Anna Jarvis started diligently in 1905 to create the day to remember and honor mothers. Finally, in 1914, her hard work paid off, Mother’s Day became a national holiday celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year.

Ironically, the story is told how Jarvis became so upset with the commercialization of the day during the late 1920s and 1930’s; she spent the rest of her life trying to have the day removed from being a nationally accepted holiday. It was too late though, the surge of flower and gift sales, telephone call spikes and all those “Hallmark moment” cards had taken hold of society; this holiday was here to stay (as it should be).

No one knows just how long ago the tradition of offering a great affordable Mother’s Day Breakfast for the whole family started at the Bedford American Legion. “OC” OConnor, Commander of Post 221, Bedford professed “this family tradition must have started in the 1960s, it has become a generational family event. Today the Sons of the American Legion do a great job as they take point on this delightful day”.

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Of note, the American Legion ties its efforts into a custom which originated from the very beginning of Mother’s Day itself. Jarvis, the “Mother” of Mother’s Day, wore a white carnation in honor of her mother’s passing in 1905. Past Commander Jerry Hartmann said, “We continue this practice of giving out white carnations in honor of moms who have passed, and the red or pink ones for mothers who, we are blessed to still have with us”.

“We’re proud to keep up heartwarming traditions like Mother’s Day” said Arthur Conrad, Finance Officer, “there’s something special about seeing families grow as they come back to celebrate year after year”.

Another Bedford resident, Paula Verrier, expressed the magic as: “This has been a tradition in our family since I was a child. I remember our father bringing us to the Legion to celebrate Mother’s Day, giving mom some time off. Even as adults we would gather with our mother at Mother’s Day Breakfast with our grown children and grandchildren, some who would travel for miles to be there”.

If you haven’t made plans for your Mother’s Day breakfast yet (shame on you!) it’s not too late to plan a trip to where traditions still mean something.

The Legion gladly welcomes you back if you’re one of the many families in town who always begins your Mother’s Day memories at 357 Great Road. Sunday, May 14th from 8-11AM they will treat Mom to a delicious buffet of eggs, hash browns, sausage, pancakes, toast, juice, tea, and coffee. Adults $7, children 6-12 $5, and children under 6 are free – of course, Mothers eat for free too.  If this is your first time, start your own tradition of making memories on Mother’s Day, let the American Legion Family do all the work and pamper Mom – she deserves it.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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