In recent history, Memorial Day has meant the unofficial start to summer. Family BBQ on the grill, local pools announce its opening day and retailers have big sales. While everyone has freedom to celebrate as they choose,
Americans should also remember that this holiday is really a somber occasion to pause and reflect as a nation. Over 1.3 million Americans have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.
Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day” on May 30,1868, the head of an organization of Union Veterans, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, established Decoration Day as a way for the nation to honor the graves of those who died in the Civil War with flowers, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It is believed that May 30th was chosen by Logan as the day to observe Decoration Day because the flowers would be in bloom nationwide according to the V.A.
There are debates over which city was the origin place of Memorial Day, although the first large observation was held at Arlington National Cemetary for a crowd of about 5,000 people in 1868. In 1966, President Lydon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York the original “Birthplace” of the holiday, according to the V.A.
How to observe Memorial Day.
At 3:00p.m. local time, Americans are asked to take part in the national moment of remembrance, a time to pause in a moment of silence to honor those who have died serving the United States.
Inspiration
In 1915, inspired by the poem, “In Flanders Fields”, Moina Michaels replied with her own poem:
“We cherish too, the poppy red that grows on fields where valour led, it seems to signal to the skies that blood of hero’s never dies.”
Out of this poem, she conceived the idea to wear poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving the nation during war. Later, Madam Guerin from France learned of the custom and started the custom of making artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. In 1922, the VFW became the first veteran’s organization to nationally sell poppies.
Personal reflection
My grandfather, of British decent, served in the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), which was formed for service in France in World War 1. He was severely injured in a battle in the countryside of France. He somehow came across a farm and collapsed in the pig pen of the farm. In the morning, the farmer’s wife found him and cared for him and hid him until he was well enough, and he left the farm to re-join the BEF.
My Grandfather, later named his daughters after the farmer’s wife and children, Vinetta Jane, Marlene Rozella and Jeannine Vivette (My beloved mother).
Proclamation by President Binden
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOESPH R. BIDEN JR.., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 27,2024, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 A.M. of that day as time when people might unite in prayer and reflection.
I wish you all an enjoyable weekend where you remember those who are no longer with us. Please observe the purpose of this holiday and enjoy your time with family and friends.
Honoring those who served our nation and are no longer with us,
Colleen Strong, NWCA National Media Coordinator
*Editorial notes; Photo credit to Mrs. Kari Lynn Pascoe, Navy Wife, for allowing me to use her personal photograph of the American Cemetery in Luxembourg, Germany. (In accordance with his wishes, General Patton was buried with his men at Luxembourg American Cemetery. He is the only four star general buried at an American Battle monument commission cemetery.)
Research for this article was conducted on the Veterans Administration website