Memorial Day 2010

Today, May 31, 2010, is Memorial Day, a day to remember and honour those who died in service for the United States of America. It was originally called Decoration Day. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868. Flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.

Moina Michaelin 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," wrote a 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.

Ms. Michaelin founded the National Poppy Movement, where red poppies are worn on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. In 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. The VFW ladies provide the red poppy flowers to all naturalized US citizens; remember having received yours during your oath taking? Small American flags are placed at the graves of our veterans. Congress made the day into a three-day weekend with the National Holiday Act of 1971.

Today, Memorial Day is also celebrated to remember all those who have passed on, not just the departed veterans. In the Philippines, our beloved dead is remembered during All Souls' Day on 2 November which follows All Saints' Day on November 1, which commemorates the departed saints. This is a long weekend, when families go to the cemeteries, to their provinces, where their beloved ones' graves are cleaned, painted, bedecked with flowers; candles are lit, prayers are said, and parties celebrated by the graveside(!)

The "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on December 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans are asked "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."

Our freedom is not free, let us remember and honour those who have died that we may have freedom.

Eternal rest grant unto them O, Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon them.

Most of information was gleaned from: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html