Let's Chat About...Memorial Day
For us, Memorial Day marks the first weekend of summer. It's when we go to the lake and put the boat, lift and dock in the water. Graduation is also that weekend so often times we are going around to grad parties. But in reality, Memorial Day is something much more.
Memorial Day is a National Holiday observed on the last Monday in May. On this day we honor the ones who have died while serving in the US Military.
This holiday was originally celebrated as Decoration Day when it started after the Civil War and became an official Federal Holiday in 1971.
Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting Cemetaries or Memorials. There are often Parades and Family Gatherings on this day as well.
The Civil War ended in 1865 claiming more lives than any other war in U.S. History. This required the establishment of the country's first National Cemetaries. Cities began to hold tributes in the Springtime to honor these fallen soldiers, decorating the graves with flowers and reciting prayers.
Waterloo, New York was declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Their 1st celebration was held on May 5, 1866, and this date was chosen because it was their annual community wide event where businesses closed, and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
In 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of Northern Civil War Veteran, called for a nationwide Remembrance Day to be celebrated later in May.
“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.
The date of Decoration Day was chosen because it wasn't the anniversary date of any particular battle. On this 1st holiday celebration, James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery where 5000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 soldiers buried there.
For many years Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30th as General Logan proclaimed. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which changed the date to the last Monday in May. The change went into effect in 1971 which created a 3-day weekend for Federal employees.
Although Memorial Day originated by honoring the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, it has since evolved into honoring soldiers from all wars including World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Korean War, Iraq and Afghanistan.
During World War I, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae spotted a field of red poppies while in battle. Struck by the sight, he wrote the poem "In Flanders Field".
This sparked the American Legion Family and Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. This encourages people to wear a red poppy as a symbol in remembrance of all fallen soldiers and the living heroes of our US Military.
The donations collected from these local campaigns go directly to support the Veterans and their families within the community.
Did You Know?
In 2010 Congress passed an ACT creating a "National Moment of Remembrance" which encourages people to take a moment of silence to reflect at 3:00 pm on Memorial Day.
An average of 28 burials occur each weekday in Arlington - 6,900 annually.
The U.S. Infantry ("The Old Guard") has placed flags on Arlington graves since 1948.
We enjoy and look forward to lake time on Memorial Weekend. One of our favorite traditions is taking in the Johnny Holms Band at the Maple Lake Pavillion on Sunday evening before the holiday. Great band that's been around for years! Who knows, I may do a blog on them some day?!
So however you choose to spend your Memorial Day, please keep in mind all the ones departed from this world and remember to take a special moment of silence at 3:00 pm for reflection.
If you have any experiences to share or additional input, please comment below.
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