The boys of summer
25 years ago — 1993
WASHINGTON — Amid taunts and applause, President Clinton said Monday at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that the war he opposed should not “divide us as a people any longer.” Clinton, who avoided the draft and participated in anti-war activities during the 1960s, spoke during Memorial Day ceremonies at the black granite wall where the names of 58,000 Vietnam War dead are enshrined. One heckler shouted “Shut up, coward!” as Clinton started to speak, and a smattering of boos mixed with the applause.
50 years ago — 1968
Frank C. Holloman, fire and police director, said yesterday he would recognize and deal with a union for city firemen if a majority of firemen indicated a preference for such an organization. But Mr. Holloman reiterated his feeling that attempts to unionize the department would fail and that he was “vigorously opposed to labor unions in the Fire and Police Departments because of the critical nature of the services provided to the public in dealing with lives and property.
75 years ago — 1943
Two Memphians, Oliver H. Perry Jr. and William F. Wright Jr., will be among those graduating from the United States Naval Academy next week. Young Perry is the son of Sheriff and Mrs. Perry of 895 North Belvedere and the grandson of former Sheriff and Police Chief Oliver Perry Sr. Young Wright is the son of Mrs. Blackburn Hughes of 1516 Union.
100 years ago — 1918
WASHINGTON — The largest annual army appropriation bill in history was passed late yesterday by the House and sent to the Senate. It makes more than 12 billion dollars available for defense and authorizes the President to call into military service all men who can be trained and equipped.
125 years ago — 1893
Never has the Grand Opera House attracted a larger audience than last night. The crowd came to witness the awarding of diplomas to 39 graduates of Memphis High School. After a thoroughly enjoyable musical program, Miss Mamie Reiter, class valedictorian, delivered a brief but interesting essay titled “What Then?”