Remember
Memorial Day began as a spontaneous outpouring of honoring and remembrance for six hundred thousand American soldiers who died fighting the Civil War. Towns and villages in both the North and the South began decorating the grave sites of the war dead with flowers. Decoration Day, as it was then called, became official with General Orders No. 11 issued by General John Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in May 1868.
In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
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 conceived the idea of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. In 1948, the United States Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a 3 cent postage stamp bearing her likeness.
Today, in military cemeteries across the Nation and in lands where U.S. soldiers died far from home, men, women and children will gather to remember, reflect and to honor those who gave what Abraham Lincoln called the “the last full measure of devotion.”
I hope you’ll join me today at 3 P.M. in the National Moment of Remembrance. One minute of quiet reflection isn’t too much to ask to honor the supreme sacrifices which continue to make freedom possible. Wear a red poppy with pride in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Remember that “All gave some and some gave all…” for you.
Doug
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This brought tears to our eyes. What a nice tribute to our fallen heros. We had forgotten about the red poppies! You used to see them everywhere, now it's hard to find them.
Thank you!
A very nice piece. I am saddened that too few Americans take the time to remember those who have died to protect our freedom and liberty. It is an unfortunate result of changing the official observance to a Monday to allow a long weekend.
There has been legislation presented each year to return to the original May 30 observance but it always dies in committee. I for one am for the change as it will allow us to focus more on the real purpose of the holiday.
Absolutely wonderful! I love the poem!
I think the legislation is drafted by the Senator from Hawaii. I don't undeerstand either why it always is left to die in committee. We need to go back to the 30th before no one takes time to remember.
As stated above, May 30 was the original Memorial Day. In 1971, with the passage of the national Holiday Act, Congress changed it so that Memorial Day would be celebrated on the last Monday of May. Some citizens feel that turning it into a “three-day weekend” has devalued the importance and significance of this special holiday. In fact, every time a new Congress has convened since 1989, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii has introduced a bill to the Senate calling for the restoration of May 30th as the day to celebrate Memorial Day.
In his 1999 introductory remarks to the bill, Senator Inouye declared:
"Mr. President, in our effort to accommodate many Americans by making the last Monday in May, Memorial Day, we have lost sight of the significance of this day to our nation. Instead of using Memorial Day as a time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans in combat, many Americans use the day as a celebration of the beginning of summer. My bill would restore Memorial Day to May 30 and authorize the flag to fly at half mast on that day.
In addition, this legislation would authorize the President to issue a proclamation designating Memorial Day and Veterans Day as days for prayer and ceremonies honoring American veterans. This legislation would help restore the recognition our veterans deserve for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our nation." (from the 1999 U.S. Congressional Record).
My personal opinion is that Memorial Day should retain the same significance as Veterans’ Day, which is always celebrated on Nov. 11, and has not been relegated to the closest Monday, to create another three-day weekend. On May 23, I became the 5,927th person to sign the on-line petition to change it back to May 30.
Carolyn Abell
The Tifton Gazette
I believe the American Legion and DAV still make these for sale. Check with your local chapter to find out where to purchase them.
I learned "In Flander's Field" in grade school and it has always been one of ny favorites. How appropriate for a Memorial Day remembrance. Good job!
Thank you for reminding me about the red poppies we used to buy and wear for Memorial Day! I haven't seen them in some time either. I will check and let you know if I find where they can be obtained.