Memorial Day was created to honor fallen soldiers of the Civil War and was originally called Decoration Day. John L. Logan is largely responsible for organizing the day, and in 1868 declared:
“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. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
As time, and wars, went by people began honoring all fallen soldiers on the day no matter when or how they had served their country. In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day to be an official holiday occurring on the last Monday in May to honor all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving in the Armed Forces of The United States of America.
I never want to forget those who’ve given the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the Untied States of America.
Tipper
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Valor knows no time, place, or nationality. Looking at the pictures of President Trump addressing America at Arlington Cemetery today reminds me of the inscription over its gate:
“Rest easy, sleep well, my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell; the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell.
Thank you for giving the history of Memorial Day. I meant a lot to me.
Linda bryant
Tipper,
I will never forget All those who freely gave to keep us Free. …Ken
5 years ago was the first time (to the best of my knowledge) that no flowers were placed on the graves of my mother’s family’s soldiers. Until then, someone had always placed flowers and a flag at their graves. In earlier years, many of the Kansas family members traveled from cemetery to cemetery together to honor family members who had served in the military. They also honored some of my Dad’s relatives who served since all were from close-knit communities and none of my Dad’s relatives remained in the area. It’s an additional sadness; a family tradition no longer honored by those who remain. Another reason why society forgets and history repeats itself.
What a beautiful tradition! I think I might start doing this. Thank you for sharing!
Where do I put these flowers?
For those whose frozen bodies were ground to bits by tires and treads of killing machines?
For those whose bodies are trapped aboard sunken ships?
Or those stilled entangled in the wreckage of undiscovered airplanes?
And those whose bones were gnawed beyond recognition by animals?
Those whose bodies were burned in enemy prisons and plowed into fields?
Or whose bones are entwined with friend and foe in mass burial pits?
These flowers are beginning to wither and die for lack of a place to rest. As have the souls of those for whom they are intended.
To Papaw Ammon’s…
I understand what you are saying and it is so sad…These men’s/women’s spirits are resting even though we know not where….however, our remembering them will keep their spirits with us so that they don’t die and wither away…We can not let, as the saying goes, “Old Soldiers never die they just fade away”….Memorial Day remembrances will not let them just fade away!
I know you’ve had that photo sequence with Paul’s wonderful composition of We Three Kings before, but you can have it once a year from now on as far as I’m concerned. It sets the right tone for the day.
One thing that is striking is just how young some of those boys – make that men – looked. But none of them looked young in the field. Susan has a pair of uncles who died in WW2; neither of them appeared to be old enough to be in uniform.
To all of the BlindPigandtheAcorn readers who served on our behalf – we bless and thank you, and may God’s riches blessings be yours.
I was thinking this morning about those in my family who served and how different things would be if they had not survived; my Dad, my brother, cousins, uncles stretching back through the generations. And then, in tracing one’s family tree, those who did not have descendants are cut off and all of that potential ended.
I am grateful, but probably not in proportion to the sacrifice. I’m not even sure that is possible.
Thanks to each of the veterans on your mailing list.
Excellent tribute. Our family has lost at least one member in every war since the Civil War. Plus, the church usually has decoration day about the Sunday closest to Memorial Day each year.
Thank you,
Doug
Beautiful video that says it all! Yes, we must remember, we all have someone who could be in the picture gallery!
Thanks.