By Diane Forrest
Every last Monday in
May I head down the veteran's cemetery here in town. It is a beautiful heartwarming site to see
all the flags waving, but they also serve as a reminder that the flags were
placed there because someone gave their life while fighting for me. These people who didn't even know me fought
so that I would have certain freedoms and a safer life. It always brings tears to my eyes, and makes
me so proud.
Memorial Day
started after the end of the Civil War.
Then it was called Decoration Day.
There are many stories about the beginning of this holiday, but the town
of Boalsburg, PA claims to be the first to practice the decorating of the
soldier's grave. According to
wikepedia.com, on May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the
Grand Army of the Republic - the organization for Union Civil War veterans -
General John A. Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day"
should be observed nationwide and annually. It was observed for the first time
on May 30 of the same year; according to folklore, the date was chosen because
it was not the anniversary of a battle. According to the White House, the May
30 date was chosen as the optimal date for flowers to be in bloom.
Today the day
is spent having cookouts, listening to political speeches, going to car races
or golf tournaments. It marks the
beginning of summer and the end of school.
The name, Memorial Day was first used in 1882, and the original date of
observance was changed from May 30 to the last Monday in May to allow for the 3
day week end and in compliance of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act established in
1968. There have been some efforts to
move the observance back to the original date of May 30, because people believe
that the 3-day weekend celebration takes away the meaning of the day.
However you plan to celebrate
this day, please keep in mind the countless veterans who gave their lives in
battle so that you can have the rights and the freedoms that you have today.
(Images from Google)
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