Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces (Wikipedia). The holiday has its roots in the Civil War, when Americans in various towns and cities began holding tributes to the countless fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers in the spring (ASOMF). The first widely observed Decoration Day was held on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic (PBS). Since 1971, it is observed on the last Monday of May.
Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military (History.com). It is a day to mourn and honor its deceased veterans (VA). The holiday marks the unofficial start of summer and honors those who have died in the nation's wars (NY Times).
There are many ways to honor the fallen on Memorial Day. Here are a few:
Take a walk through your local veterans cemetery (USO)
Brush up on your Memorial Day knowledge
Participate in a Memorial Day walk or run
Attend a Memorial Day ceremony: Many communities organize Memorial Day ceremonies at local cemeteries, memorials, or Veterans' organizations (Soldiers' Angels)
Show your patriotism by flying your American flag. The formal ritual is for the flag to hang at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day and then raised to the top of the flagpole (Inspire Kindness)
Decorate with Flags. For many years, it has been a tradition to decorate graves of fallen soldiers with flags on Memorial Day. Another tradition is to fly the American flag at home (US Inspect)
Here are a few Memorial Day quotes to reflect on:
"The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage.” (Parade)
"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation evermore!" (Today)
"May we never forget our fallen comrades. Freedom isn't free." (Country Living)
"The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” – Minot J Savage (A Book Geek)
And here's a Memorial Day poem to remember the fallen:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
This Memorial Day, let's take a moment to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by those who served our country. Let's honor their memory by living our lives with purpose and gratitude for the freedom they gave their lives to protect. We will never forget.
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