We should revive a long ago custom…Decoration Day was borne of the desire to honour fallen War Between the State soldiers. On 5 May 1868, General John Logan, said, “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.” In his General Order No. 11, he chose May 30th because there was no significance to any battle fought during the War.
Until World War I, Decoration Day wasn’t acknowledged by southern states; it was then the focus was changed from one war to any war. Congress passed the National Holiday Act of 1971 that said the last Monday in May would be Memorial Day. Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia additionally have separate days for honoring the Confederate war dead.
In Flanders Field, was written by Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD to commemorate that dreadful 1915 battle in the fields of Belgium’s Ypres Salient, “those seventeen days of Hades…”.
In 1915, inspired by Lt. Col. McCrae’s poem, Moina Michael wrote We Shall Keep Faith and started wearing red poppies to remember those fallen.
Professor Michael had the idea to sell artificial poppies to raise money for American’s disabled veterans. Prior to her death in 1944, the American Legion adopted the poppy as its symbol and poppy sales raised more than $200 million for war veterans rehabilitation.
If you have an opportunity to purchase one of those poppies, please do and then…wear it proudly. It means someone’s son or husband or brother or father died so we could have the freedom to speak our minds…whether it’s anything worth saying or not. In recent years, it also means someone’s daughter, or mother, or wife or sister died and we should Never Forget the ultimate price untold thousands have paid for our freedom.
How terribly sad the current Administration doesn’t see the need to be grateful and, as a result, our veterans are being treated poorly, with complete and utter disrespect by people not fit to lick their boots! Twenty-two (22!) veterans commit suicide every day, the average claim takes more than 6 months to be processed, and, in 2009 the number of veterans that were waiting for more than year to have their benefits approved was 11,000. As of February 2014 it was 245,000! This article, “25 Signs That Military Veterans Are Being Treated Like Absolute Trash Under The Obama Administration” is enough to make you weep. Christ said, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Next time you see a veteran selling poppies, buy one; it’s only a dollar and it’s for the rehabilitation of disabled vets, or, why not give a $5 bill and say, “Thank you for serving!”
Blessings ~ military men and women, past and present, living and dead ~ Lt. Col. McCrae, MD ~ Moina Michael ~ Veterans of Foreign Wars ~ American Legion ~ red poppies ~
I grew up going to Decoration Day services usually held in a cemetery, but I don't recall it necessarily being for the fallen. The way I remember it being is those attending decorated grave sites of those who passed that they loved, like a mother or father or sibling. So, I was interested in learning the history behind Decoration Day. Thanks for the education.
Very nice Sandra. And the sad truth about it is again not limited to one administration over another.They are all self serving power hungry individuals. Pity. I met a lovely fellow a couple of weeks prior to the day of remembering. He was sitting on a bench by the quilt shop I frequent. He was enjoying a sandwich with his dog at his feet. Between his service cap and the dog that was quite obviously part Pyrenees, he was an eye catcher. His dog was named Two, why? Because the dog that preceded Two was One. Makes perfect sense. A vet of WWII he was. I thanked him for his service and left him to enjoy his time with Two.
Like the previous visitor, I too came back to read this again on this quiet Sunday morning. Thank you…
Came back to read the post again. Beautiful…
yvonne
I didn't realize the meaning behind the red poppies. I will certainly buy one next time. Thanks for the post, Sandra.
Oh, dear, what a statistic – I had no idea about the suicides. Lord, have mercy.
I really hope that there will be vast improvements to the VA now that the medical scandal has seen the light of day. It is truly shameful how our vets have been treated.
Dear Sandra, such a beautiful post to honor our Vets. My dad was in WWII in Normandy on Omaha Beach June 6th 1944. We are approaching 70 years since that day. I did a post and left it up 4 days to honor our military. We are so thankful to our heros and those that sacrificed so much for our freedom We always purchase poppies to help. I agree with you, the current administration shows no care for our Vets or this country.
Thank you for sharing your post and the historic info too.
I read your comment on Mildred's post for the hymn you are singing. I had to smile. I have sung this since I was a little girl.
"Way beyond the blue"
Prayers for you and a sale soon!
Hugs and Blessings!
Our current administration hates the military and our country. They're not going to do anything to honor our nation or history. Heck, he won't even do anything about that poor military man in prison in Mexico!! Even the Dem's are calling BHO an incompetant boob.
Anyway, I think in England they still wear poppies for Decoration Day. It is a good tradition we should resurrect here. Thanks for reminding me about it. ~:)
Some time ago, I referred to Flanders Fields. The poem is so touching. And thanks to my momma, I now get teary and have goose bumps when I encounter our flag, especially when lots are waving in our local cemeteries.
Such a wonderful tribute post. It was nice to read these poems again. Especially Flanders Field. I always get a lump in my throat when I read that poem.
Hi Sandra I did a post for Monday.
I am only visiting the blogs that did a post for the Vet's.
Love your Flanders poem.
XXXXyvonne
Such a thoughtful post, my friend. Thank you.
Hello Sandra,
What an interesting account you give here of the history associated with Memorial Day and the two poems are so very moving and appropriate today as they were some 100 years ago.
As you will know, in Britain there is also the tradition of wearing poppies but this is in November each year to mark the finish of World War 1. It is a wonderfully symbolic gesture we think to wear one's poppy with pride. Our freedoms have all come at a price and it is good to recognise those who paid it for us.