Monday, the people of our great Nation will take a day to honor those who have died in our Nation’s service. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration day was a tradition that is said to have started in the South. Women would decorate the graves of the Confederate Soldiers who had died during the Civil War.
The very first Memorial Day was proclaimed by General John Logan in 1868. Flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate Soldiers at Arlington Cemetery. In 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson set aside May 30th as Memorial Day.
As a result of the National Holiday Act in 1971, Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday of May. This change has made it easy to loose the real purpose of Memorial Day. The day has gone from only honoring those who have given their lives for this country, to long weekend get aways and furniture store sales. Most people think it is a day to honor all who have died.
How can you honor those soldiers and their families that have given the ultimate sacrifice for this Nation? With time honored traditions.
- Fly the flag at half-staff until noon.
- Fly POW-MIA Flags.
- Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes
- Visit and place flags and flowers at war memorials.
- Participate in the “Moment of National Remembrance” – at 3 pm take a moment to pause and think of the true meaning of the day.
- Find a way to support disabled veterans, and families of fallen soldiers.
- Buy a “Red Poppy.” A tradition inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields.”
In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
In 1915, Moina Michael got the idea of wearing red poppies to honor those who died serving the nation. She made and sold red poppies to support disabled veterans and the families of those who had died. Today this tradition is carried on by disabled American Veterans. Paper poppies are made by the veterans and sold at local stores by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies. – Moina Micheal
Have a great weekend!
Sheila
P.S. For more OtGF visit Insightful Nana and Shelly the OtGF host.
P.S.S. It is my hope on this “Only the Good Friday” that as you plan your Memorial Day Weekend, you will find the real meaning of Memorial Day.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello Sheila ,
Thanks for this gr8 article .I am new to this country and its tradtion and I always wondered the importance of poppy seeds during such festivals .
I liked your suggestion “Find a way to support disabled veterans, and families of fallen soldiers”. See that ’s all you can do for your country .Even today 100’s of soldiers are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan and what we need to show is support for them .
Friends so a simple support by just no wearing poppy flowers on ur chest ,but we ask you to chip in more .
I salute on this day for all soldiers !!
Regards
Sudeep
[Reply]
Lovely post, Sheila. It is so important to honor our fallen warriors. I do not support the war, but I support and honor the warrior.
Peace.
[Reply]
sheila Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 9:43 am
@Thorne
War is such an odd game…nobody ever wins.
I live with a Vietnam Vet, I can’t even begin to tell you how important all of that is to him. So supporting that and not making it wrong is important to me.
A world with out war is one of my goals.
Sheila
[Reply]