Lest We Forget...Memorial Day, A Day of Remembrance and Reflection

Although everyone is looking forward to a fun filled holiday week-end we frequently forget its real meaning. Memorial Day, an official holiday originally called Decoration Day, was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on Union and Confederate graves in Arlington National Cemetery.  By 1890, the holiday was recognized in all of the northern states. The South chose to honor the fallen on separate days until post WWII. At that time, the holiday honored Americans who died fighting in the many American war’s beginning with the American Revolution.

The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation was inspired by the poem written in 1915 by Canadian doctor, Lt. Col. John McCrae while serving in France during WWI.

    In Flanders Fields

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow

      Between the crosses, row on row,

      That mark our place; and in the sky

     The larks, still bravely singing, fly

        Scarce heard among the guns below.

Moina Michael  followed up with her own 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.

She is also responsible for the custom of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving our nation during a war. She donated the money she made selling poppies to friends and family to benefit needy servicemen. The tradition spread to other countries. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922, the VFW became the first veteran’s organization to sell poppies nationally.

To remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day,  the flag is flown at half-staff until noon. In 2000, the government passed the National Moment of Remembrance resolution on December 2000 which asks Americans to pause for a moment of observance at 3 p.m. to reflect and honor those who have given their lives for our country.

A small price to pay to honor the memory of the men and women who lost their lives while serving our country.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director