Remember the Fallen, Forever

The true meaning of Memorial Day is to honor the ones who gave all to gain our freedom.

On Memorial Day our flags are raised at half-staff from sunrise to noon, then lifted to full staff to signify hope and to honor all our country’s war heroes.

Decoration Day-Memorial Day, now one in the same. It wasn’t always as on May 5, 1868, after the Civil War ended a group of Union veterans called the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) decided to create Decoration Day to honor the fallen. They began the tradition of decorating the graves with flowers as it was spring weather when flowers were in bloom. Major General John A. Logan declared it should be May 30.

Some get mixed up about Memorial Day and Veterans Day which are totally different. Memorial Day, honors the military personnel who died in service of their country. Veterans Day is to honor everyone who has served in the military.

The message of Memorial Day honors the sacrifices and loss of those who served and died while in the military whereas Veterans Day honors all those who have served.

A quote for Memorial Day: “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women who lost their lives in service to their country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

A second very notable quote: “Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great; the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.”

Many towns across the nation paid tribute to the dead from the Civil War bringing President Lyndon Johnson to declare Waterloo, NY as the official “Birthplace of Memorial Day because of the city-wide observance on May 5, 1866. Several cities could claim the same especially in the south where most bodies are buried.

A prayer for Memorial Day: we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of Your Son Our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with Your strength and peace.”

An interesting note while it was still referred to as Decoration Day (I can remember my parents calling it that), soldiers and families would decorate the graves with fresh spring flowers and flags. Some families would even hold picnics on the graves of their beloved ones. Since, it has evolved to back yard BBQ’s, boating, car racing and simple family gatherings.

The Red Poppy came into view at this time when in 1915 during WWI, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae saw a cluster poppies in a field which inspired him to coin the poem In Flanders Field. Thus began the wearing of the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance in 1920. The donation for a poppy through various organizations helps veterans programs throughout the world.

After WWI, Memorial Day was expanded to honor all soldiers who lost their lives in American wars. In 1971 the date became known as Memorial Day. The 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed to create a three day holiday for federal employees. There is concern among some the real meaning of Memorial Day will become lost from the first long holiday weekend that was intended to honor the fallen.

To keep the true reason for Memorial Day in the forefront of one’s mind, each year a wreath is placed on every grave at the Arlington National Cemetery. Our current president or vice-president does the honor placing the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This is truly an awe inspiring sight as I personally have be in D.C. when the wreath is still on the tomb and all the small flags are flying on each grave.

From this, businesses began the tradition of placing miniature flags throughout neighborhoods.

Next, the Indy 500 became a part of Memorial Day celebrations. The first year of racing was 1910 on the Indianapolis Speedway.

Always remember to thank a Veteran no matter what branch they served in, war, crisis, wherever the need was.

A moment of silence became official in December of 2000 when U.S. Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act. At 3 p.m. local time Americans are asked to observe a moment of silence for those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

1971 saw the realization of Memorial Day being declared a national holiday by an act of Congress even though some still refer to it as Decoration Day because of the laying of flowers on the graves of the deceased.

Wherever you are, however you celebrate, honor the fallen and our great country’s Red, White, and Blue signifying our freedom.

We sincerely hope you have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

(all information gleaned from the World Wide Web)