Hello, I have been a professional writer and editor for over 25 years and love America. My family has been involved in the VFW and has had members that are active duty for generations: I respect the organization greatly.
I would love the opportunity to write articles, stories, etc for this effort.
Please respond at your earliest convenience; I promise you that my work won’t disappoint you!
Memorial Day is here; and as Americans, it means many things to us. It can mean the start of longer, warmer days as summer arrives with trips to the beach and fun, and more outdoor activities. It can mean a three-day weekend with steaks on the grill with burgers for the kids, in your own backyard or over at a friend’s house while watching a game. It can also signal the end of a school year with hopes for next year, or even the start of job-hunting. This holiday sounds great, doesn’t it? Or is it just another day off with more time for you and your family? But is this really what Memorial Day is all about? Isn’t there something more? Something more important to us all?
The answer is that Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that signals the beginning of summer. To many Americans, especially the national’s combat veterans, their families and loved ones, this day has an important, sacred meaning and history, far beyond just another day off.
Memorial Day is a national holiday and a time set aside to remember the nation’s war dead by decorating their graves and honoring their ultimate sacrifice in service to us, their country. It is a very personal observance since there are few families that don’t have a loved one that has served or is serving in the U.S. armed forces; and some of our loved ones died in that service.
The unofficial beginnings of Memorial Day, or as it was originally called, Decoration Day, started in the south with ladies groups organizing days to decorate confederate graves and honor their war dead during the Civil War. More than likely, there were spontaneous remembrances when people gathered to honor their war dead.
General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, made an official proclamation of Memorial Day in 1868 and during that first celebration; General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. Afterwards, the 5,000 participants helped to place flowers on more than 20,000 graves of both the Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. It was of major importance in the 1860’s as it called us together to honor all war heroes; it was no longer a divided effort, but a reconciliation of those alive honoring the dead. This remembrance was inspired by the many local observances throughout America at that time.
New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873 and Waterloo NY was declared the birthplace of Memorial Day many years later by President Lyndon Johnson. The holiday was recognized by all of the northern states by 1890. The south did not acknowledge the day, but continued to honor their dead on separate days until after WWI, when the holidays changed from honoring whose who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans service members who died fighting in any war.
In 1915, Mrs. Moina Michael, a strong supporter of honoring our war dead, responded to the well known poem, On Flanders Fields by writing:
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.
She started the custom of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who dies serving our nation during war. She then started selling poppies to her acquaintances, and then donated the money to benefit servicemen. The tradition spread across the nation and the world. The Franco-American Children’s League responded by selling them nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. When the league disbanded, the creator, Madam Guerin, appealed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for help.
In 1922, just before Memorial Day, the VFW became the first national veteran’s group to sell poppies, and then expanded the idea in two years to the Buddy Poppy program to sell artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. Years later in 1948, the post office honored Ms Michael’s efforts by issuing a red three-cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.
Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May to ensure a three-day weekend, though several southern states have an additional day for honoring the Confederate war dead: Jan 19 in Texas, Apr 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, May 10 in South Caroline and June 3 (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. This is usually called Confederate Memorial Day, while in Texas; it is referred to Confederate Heroes Day.
Remembering this traditional observance has diminished over the years and Americans seem to have forgotten the meaning and traditions of this special day. Many confuse Memorial Day with Veteran’s Day, which is on November 11 and a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead. Many graves of our war dead have fallen into neglect and most people do not know the proper flag etiquette for the day. Many towns and cities have not held a Memorial Day parade in decades.
In response, The National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed in Dec 2000 to remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day and asks all Americans at 3pm “. . . 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. . .” And it reminds us to set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.
In order for Memorial Day to return to its intended solemn spirit, many believe it needs to return to its traditional day of observance. The VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address that by “ . . . 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…”
Perhaps the present generation is different, because change is evident and has been seen at the national and local level. Yearly, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, soldiers of the3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and then patrol continually during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains in place. In 1998, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts initiated a program to place a candle at each of the 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, (the Luminaria Program), the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of St. Louis place flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn. In 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years. Traditionally, Memorial Day is celebrated nationally at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed at each grave. It is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
Hello, I have been a professional writer and editor for over 25 years and love America. My family has been involved in the VFW and has had members that are active duty for generations: I respect the organization greatly.
I would love the opportunity to write articles, stories, etc for this effort.
Please respond at your earliest convenience; I promise you that my work won’t disappoint you!
Sincerely,
Rhonda Quillin
By: Rhonda Quillin on April 26, 2008
at 1:39 pm
MEMORIAL DAY 2008
What does it mean to you?
Memorial Day is here; and as Americans, it means many things to us. It can mean the start of longer, warmer days as summer arrives with trips to the beach and fun, and more outdoor activities. It can mean a three-day weekend with steaks on the grill with burgers for the kids, in your own backyard or over at a friend’s house while watching a game. It can also signal the end of a school year with hopes for next year, or even the start of job-hunting. This holiday sounds great, doesn’t it? Or is it just another day off with more time for you and your family? But is this really what Memorial Day is all about? Isn’t there something more? Something more important to us all?
The answer is that Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that signals the beginning of summer. To many Americans, especially the national’s combat veterans, their families and loved ones, this day has an important, sacred meaning and history, far beyond just another day off.
Memorial Day is a national holiday and a time set aside to remember the nation’s war dead by decorating their graves and honoring their ultimate sacrifice in service to us, their country. It is a very personal observance since there are few families that don’t have a loved one that has served or is serving in the U.S. armed forces; and some of our loved ones died in that service.
The unofficial beginnings of Memorial Day, or as it was originally called, Decoration Day, started in the south with ladies groups organizing days to decorate confederate graves and honor their war dead during the Civil War. More than likely, there were spontaneous remembrances when people gathered to honor their war dead.
General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, made an official proclamation of Memorial Day in 1868 and during that first celebration; General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. Afterwards, the 5,000 participants helped to place flowers on more than 20,000 graves of both the Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. It was of major importance in the 1860’s as it called us together to honor all war heroes; it was no longer a divided effort, but a reconciliation of those alive honoring the dead. This remembrance was inspired by the many local observances throughout America at that time.
New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873 and Waterloo NY was declared the birthplace of Memorial Day many years later by President Lyndon Johnson. The holiday was recognized by all of the northern states by 1890. The south did not acknowledge the day, but continued to honor their dead on separate days until after WWI, when the holidays changed from honoring whose who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans service members who died fighting in any war.
In 1915, Mrs. Moina Michael, a strong supporter of honoring our war dead, responded to the well known poem, On Flanders Fields by writing:
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.
She started the custom of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who dies serving our nation during war. She then started selling poppies to her acquaintances, and then donated the money to benefit servicemen. The tradition spread across the nation and the world. The Franco-American Children’s League responded by selling them nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. When the league disbanded, the creator, Madam Guerin, appealed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for help.
In 1922, just before Memorial Day, the VFW became the first national veteran’s group to sell poppies, and then expanded the idea in two years to the Buddy Poppy program to sell artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. Years later in 1948, the post office honored Ms Michael’s efforts by issuing a red three-cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.
Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May to ensure a three-day weekend, though several southern states have an additional day for honoring the Confederate war dead: Jan 19 in Texas, Apr 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, May 10 in South Caroline and June 3 (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. This is usually called Confederate Memorial Day, while in Texas; it is referred to Confederate Heroes Day.
Remembering this traditional observance has diminished over the years and Americans seem to have forgotten the meaning and traditions of this special day. Many confuse Memorial Day with Veteran’s Day, which is on November 11 and a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead. Many graves of our war dead have fallen into neglect and most people do not know the proper flag etiquette for the day. Many towns and cities have not held a Memorial Day parade in decades.
In response, The National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed in Dec 2000 to remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day and asks all Americans at 3pm “. . . 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. . .” And it reminds us to set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.
In order for Memorial Day to return to its intended solemn spirit, many believe it needs to return to its traditional day of observance. The VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address that by “ . . . 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…”
Perhaps the present generation is different, because change is evident and has been seen at the national and local level. Yearly, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, soldiers of the3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and then patrol continually during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains in place. In 1998, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts initiated a program to place a candle at each of the 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, (the Luminaria Program), the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of St. Louis place flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn. In 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years. Traditionally, Memorial Day is celebrated nationally at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed at each grave. It is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
So, what does Memorial Day mean to you?
By: rlq02 on May 12, 2008
at 1:25 pm