Memorial Day Origins, thoughts.....

[Debbie]

This was copied from here.....http://www.butlerrec.com/asp/news/de...asp?NewsID=180

A Time to Remember

Memorial Day has been a traditional time to honor America's war dead since the end of the Civil War.

Three years after the Civil War ended, Major General John A. Logan declared that Memorial Day - originally called Decoration Day - should be celebrated on May 30. It was envisioned as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.

In his words:
"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."
From: Major General John Logan, General Order No. 11, issued May 5, 1868

Early celebrations
That first Memorial Day, a national observance was held in Arlington National Cemetery, with about 5,000 people in attendance. At that time, the cemetery held the remains of 20,000 Union dead and several hundred Confederate dead. General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, General James Garfield, and other officials attended and gave speeches. Children from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home and members of the Grand Army of the Republic (a federation of Union army and navy veterans) scattered flowers on graves, recited prayers, and sang hymns.

After World War I, the observance was expanded to honor all who have died in all American wars; it occasionally has been called "Poppy Day" since that war, because volunteers sell small, red artificial flowers as a fundraiser for disabled veterans.

Even though ceremonies have taken place in many locales since the Civil War to honor veterans of war, in 1966, the U.S. government proclaimed Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. The Waterloo observance first occurred on May 5, 1866, and has continued yearly since then.

1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress; at that time, the official holiday was declared to be the last Monday in May.

Memorial Day today
A Memorial Day celebration continues to be held at Arlington National Cemetery each year; a small American flag is placed on each grave, a wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, and either the President or Vice President give a speech honoring the contributions of those who have died in the service of our country.

Memorial Day has particular meaning for Americans this year, as we remember those who are serving - and those who have given their lives for their country - in the Iraqi war.

Celebrate this Memorial Day
To honor those who have served our country:

Attend a memorial service sponsored by a local church, American Legion post, or other veterans' group.
Visit the graves of friends, relatives, or others in your community who have died in service to our country.
Spend time with a living war veteran (World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War). Listen to his/her experiences in the war and remember those who did not make it back safely.
Visit a Veterans' Hospital and honor the vets who are in residence there.
Fly the U.S. flag; it should be displayed at half-staff until noon.
Pledge to come to the aid of those who have been affected by war (help disabled veterans, donate to the Red Cross as a way to aid those in Iraq and other war-torn areas, or take other similar actions).

Memorial Day Inspirations
For contemplation this Memorial Day:

"Your silent tents of green
We deck wit fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Not long ago I heard a young man ask why people still kept up Memorial Day, and it set me thinking of the answer - we may answer, it celebrates and solemnly reaffirms from year to year a national act of enthusiasm and faith. It embodies in the most impressive form our belief that to act with enthusiasm and faith is the condition of acting greatly."
From a speech delivered by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. on Memorial Day, May 30, 1884.

"Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Dream of battled fields no more.
Days of danger, nights of waking."
Sir Walter Scott

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row."
John McCrae

Taps
This haunting bugle call began as a "Lights Out" signal during the Civil War. It has become an emotional song played at many military funerals. While there are no official words to the song, these are a popular interpretation:

Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the hills,
From the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
Peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
Or sailor
God keep.
On the land
Or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light,
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well.
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
'Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

[2stop]

Our soldier's are our


Enjoyed reading this Barb,


Hugs to all,
Tammie

[Debbie]

Hi Tammie

You are so right, the soliders are our angels

Take care.
Debbie