Memorial Day History

USMemorialDay.org ^ | 1994-2005 | USMemorialDay.org

[Tainan]

Decoration Day is what I always knew it as.

[Moose4]

I’ve never seen the poppy-selling done for Memorial Day, ever. I always have associated the poppies with Remembrance Day (November 11) in the Commonwealth countries much more so than with Memorial Day here. I didn’t know about that, thanks!

}:-)4

[Upstate NY Guy]

Does anyone else besides me remember your folks calling Memorial Day, Decoration day?

I sure do. And I was told this day was originally set aside to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers who died defending freedom.

[ReneeLynn]

It was always ‘Decoration Day’ to my mom. Which is why my sis and I got out to the cemetary and decorated the graves. Mom never missed Decoration Day. It just was not done.

[Monkey Face]

I remember that! I also recall that it always fell on May 30th.

Or so I’ve heard... ;o]

[DivineMomentsOfTruth]

Rest in Peace Heroes.. Thank you for our Freedom!

[Salvation]

The jets just did a flyover headed for the Portland area.

[Rockitz]

I’m proud to claim the good general (John Alexander Logan) as an ancestor (an uncle actually).

[Salvation]

From a religious standpoint:

Archdiocese of Washington

On the Memorare of Memorial Day

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

Memorial Day, for many, means the beginning of Summer. To others, it is a day off to shop. But, as I am sure you really know Memorial Day is a day to honor those who have died in the service of this country.

The word “memorial” comes from the Latin Memorare which is in an  imperative meaning: “Remember!” So, Memorial Day is “Remember! Day.”

This is a day to remember that there are men and women who have died so that you and I could live with greater security, justice and peace. May these fallen soldiers rest in Peace. We owe them a debt of gratitude and our prayers.

In a secondary sense we can also honor those today who currently serve in the military since they have placed their lives on the line for our security and peace.We will have a second opportunity to thank those who still live on Veterans Day.

God bless them all, and may the dead rest in peace.

The Love of one’s country (Patriotism) is related to the fourth commandment. The Catechism teaches:

It is the duty of citizens to contribute to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity and freedom. The love and service of one’s country follow from the the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. (CCC # 2239)

The Lord himself makes it plain: No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13).

My Cousin, John Clem, has blogged on how his parish celebrated Memorial Day by remembering the cost, the high cost, of war in human terms: HERE: Eyes Wide Open

Never forget the price others have paid for our freedom. Pray for our fallen soldiers of every generation and their families. Perhaps you might use this video as a way to meditate on the sacrifices they made. Here the text of the song “Mansions of the Lord” and the video follows:

To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more weeping,
No more fight,
No prayers pleading through the night,
Just Divine embrace,
Eternal light,
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry
And no children weep,
We shall stand and guard
Though the angels sleep,
Oh, through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord

Photo Credit above: The U.S. Army via Creative Commons

[matt04]

Excellent post.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Do they still sell poppies like this?"

If you mean live poppies, I don't think so. However, our American Legion post sells artificial poppies made by disabled veterans on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Sell is not really the word, it's actually takes donations. Whatever you want to donate to receive a poppy. I was out there on Saturday taking donations for poppies. People around our area are very supportive of veterans and generous with their money for this.

I really enjoy doing this and meeting and listening to the people. Veterans, sons and daughters of veterans and wives of passed on veterans all come to donate and talk you about their veteran. It's very interesting, cathardic for those people and gratifying for me.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years."

Perhaps I live in a cloistered part of the country, but here in Southwestern Pa we have numerous Memorial Day ceremonies over this weekend. I participated in two parades myself and I know of many more. Some small and some large. Memorial Day is well observed where I live.