Deadly Memories (2002)

In Flanders fields the poppies are dotted with row on row That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, Scarce heard amid the weapons below. We're dead. There is little we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, heart, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you not hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high. If the break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

~ John McCrae, 1915.

First, I want you to read this article. So I want you to scroll back up and reread the poem above, slowly, slowly, aloud.

Memorial Day began May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, who said:

"On May 30, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing flowers or decorating the graves of comrades who died defending their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every town, village and hamlets in the country. In this respect any form of ceremony is planned, but the messages and peers in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances permit. "

And it was first observed May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Confederate soldiers of the Union and the Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.

While some Americans see it as a great weekend three days, and a time that local pools open, picnics, sporting events and other "fun" activities, Memorial Day has traditionally been held on May 30, and some, like the veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate the election on that date fixed. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day address, "Changing the date merely to create weekend of three days has undermined the very meaning of the day. Without doubt, this contributed greatly to respect the public's nonchalant Memorial Day. "

Since the end of World War 1 because of the poem at the top of this section, "In Flanders Fields", Memorial Day has become known as Poppy Day. In 1918, the poem was well known in the world allies . Moina Michael, an American, wrote these lines in response to the poem by John McCrae:

We cherish too the poppy red that grows on fields where the value has led, it seems to signal to the skies that blood of heroes never dies

It then adopted the custom of wearing a poppy in memory of the sacrifices of war and also as a symbol to keep the faith.

A French woman, Madame Guerin, who is visiting the United States, learned the custom and it took a little further. When she returned to France she decided to separate and sell red poppies to raise money for orphans and destitute women and children in war torn areas of France. This tradition spread to Canada, the United States and Australia and continues today. The money raised from the sale of poppies used to fund various programs for veterans.

In essence, Memorial Day is a day to remember not only the heroes of the war past and present who died to give us the freedom and rights, but our own family members who have served and passed after serving . My own father served in the Korean War and Vietnam, and died in 1988 of heart disease. He was a Sergeant Master Chief. in the U.S. Air Force, and I spent every Memorial Day to think of him. So this year, from picnics, sports cars, ice cold beer and jam (disc !!!), course take a moment to buy a poppy old man at the gambling table in front of your favorite store (or buy more), and take a moment to remember our heroes. Leave the flowers on the graves of soldiers, fly half.