Friday, May 22, 2015
Memorial Day - History, Traditions & Remembrance
Lest we forget what it is really about!
An American holiday,
Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday
in May which is what gives us a long, three day weekend. For many it is a symbol of the start of
summer, but that isn’t really what it is all about. This solemn holiday is a day that honors men
and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Many will honor these war dead by visiting
cemeteries, holding family gatherings or participating in parades. A resolution passed in December of 2000 calls
for all Americans at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day to “voluntarily and informally
observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and respect, pausing from
whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.” This resolution was passed in an effort to
remind Americans the true meaning of this holiday and to promote a “National Moment of Remembrance.”
History
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| Vintage Postcard - Illustrator Unknown |
Originally this day was a day of remembrance and called
Decoration Day, this day was set aside to honor those who have died in service
of this great nation we live in.
Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War and a desire to honor those
who gallantly served in one of our nation’s darkest hours. General John A. Logan, a leader of
an organization for Northern Civil War Veterans, proclaimed “the 30th
of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or
otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their
country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every
city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
Traditions
Lest we forget is a slogan often associated with Memorial
Day. It comes from a poem entitled Recessional by Rudyard
Kipling in 1897. The poem is actually a
prayer that we not forget the sacrifices of Jesus Christ but is often added as
a line to the “Ode of Remembrance.”
For The Fallen is a poem written
by Robert Laurence Binyon
in 1914 to honor those who have sacrificed their lives in service. A particular stanza of the poem is known as
the “Ode of Remembrance” and is commonly used at Memorial Day services for many
countries.
A poem titled “In Flanders Fields” and written by Lieutenant Colonel John
McCrae, is credited as the original inspiration for the Memorial Poppy. McCrae composed this poem at the battlefront in
Ypres, Belgium on May 3, 1915 during the First World War. His poem inspired Moina Michael
to compose a poem of her own We
Shall Keep The Faith. Moina’s poem
was in response to McCrae’s plea in the last verse of his poem and she made
this pledge to “keep the faith.” Due to
her tireless efforts and commitment to those who served, the red poppy has
become an internationally-recognized symbol not only for remembrance but also
for the welfare of veterans.
Memorial Day hits home
for me!
My father and Uncle
served in World War II along with America’s
For all those who serve, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. For all the families who carry on without
their loved one, you have our gratitude.
And for the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our
freedom and to protect our great Nation – we cannot thank you enough for your
courage and your valor. We will not
forget! Your service and sacrifice will
not be in vain.
Enjoy your Memorial Day holiday. Whether you’re putting your toes in the sand,
celebrating with family and friends or spending time working on your house or
garden, we hope you’ll fly your flag proudly and stop to reflect for the
National Moment of Remembrance. Now,
we’re going to go plant some poppies!
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