Memorial Day 2009

We as Americans hold dear to our hearts the memories of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and safety. For many of us Memorial Day is a day for reconciliation and it conjures thoughts and emotion for soldiers who died to afford us freedoms that we ourselves are responsible for protecting.
Many of us realize that if we lose those freedoms or act in ways undeserving of them, we undermine their sacrifice.

Many families are rich with military tradition and see numerous loved ones pay the ultimate price in service to this Country. Their loved ones are our loved ones, and a part of a broader family.....AMERICANS !
They are our brothers and sisters too. These are our heroes, these lives are ours to celebrate and ours to memorialize.

One hundred and forty three years ago the people of Waterloo, New York set aside a special day to remember the dead of the Civil War. They called it ' Decoration day'. On this day the community would show respect and reverence for fallen heroes by lavishing their graves with beautiful flowers and ribbons. Many other communities nationwide hold emotionally charged claims to the title of ' place of origin' for this great day, however in 1966, President LBJ sanctioned Waterloo as the "official" birthplace of Memorial Day. It was said that the more than 100 years of completely planned observances were unprecedented and none of the 23 other towns could show proof to the contrary.

Not even Waterloo can dispute however, that while the Civil War was still being fought, Southern housewives were documented as having participated in setting aside a day to remember and decorate graves in unison. Regardless of the origin, the spirit of Memorial day is alive and strong in many American's hearts.
In 1868 the Commander of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), General John Logan, proclaimed in his 'General Order no.11' that May 30th would be the 1st 'official' day of observance when they placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Later, in 1882, the name was also changed by the GAR. The new name for Decoration Day would be 'Memorial Day' !

In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day to be a national holiday. The Bill (P.L.90-363) established Memorial Day to be the last Monday of May, thus insuring a three day holiday.
Many people argue that the day should be returned to May 30th. They say that the three day weekend is becoming the focus and not the true reason for the day. This sentiment is reinforced by the laxed participation in memorial celebrations. Many towns have not seen a Memorial Day parade in over half a century. Bar-B-Ques have replaced graveside services and lake fun has replaced traditional parades. Many young folks don't even know why we observe the day. Some think it is to remember everyone who dies or everyone who has served. It is not! Over time the day has gone from a day for the Civil War dead, to include WWI and WWII. Eventually, it has come to include 'All' of our war dead. In 2002 the VFW said, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

The Poem
Memorial Day was changed forever in 1915. Drawing from her love of the poem, "In Flanders Fields" Moina Michael chimed in with her own poem about fields of red poppies.....

While writing this poem she had an idea to show support for the fallen soldiers by wearing a red poppy on her lapel. Soon the tradition spread and a lady started making artificial poppies. In 1922 the VFW sold them to benefit the families of fallen soldiers. In 1924 they started the "Buddy" program to distribute the poppies. In recent years, I have not witnessed a single American wear one. Some traditions were not meant to die. It is up to us to see to it that our children learn of these historic traditions. We should make time on 'Memorial Day Weekend' to educate our children. Make sure they realize that this day is a special day for military memorial. Then teach them what to memorialize. This Memorial Day, make it a point to bring everyone you can together to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. It was started in Dec.2000, and calls for a moment of silence while Taps is played.

God bless you America, have a meaningful Memorial Day, and to those who are risking all for us this very moment....

Thank you.

YOU are my Hero!