Memorial Day - Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers
The last Monday in May is Memorial Day. A three day weekend and the official beginning of summer, but it is also much more than that. This holiday is a day that was set aside to honor our fallen soldiers. Those that are our fathers our brothers and sisters, our children, that have fallen in battle serving their country.
In the beginning this holiday was known as Decoration Day, and was created by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers, on May 5, 1868. It was during this first celebration of Decoration Day that General James Garfield made a speech, at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5000 participants decorated the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate Soldiers. In the late 1800s the services included the observance of World War I veterans and we've kept up tradition by including the fallen veterans of all of our conflicts since.
It was in 1971 that Congress declared Memorial Day a National Holiday and set it to be celebrated the last Monday in May. This holiday is often confused with Veterans Day, which is celebrated in November, but Veterans Day is to celebrate all of our veterans, living and dead.
So remember the fallen in battle during the upcoming holiday weekend. When you are out with your family, take a moment to remember them. No matter what our personal feelings on war are, these brave people, our fathers, brothers and sisters, gave the very most for their country.
In the beginning this holiday was known as Decoration Day, and was created by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers, on May 5, 1868. It was during this first celebration of Decoration Day that General James Garfield made a speech, at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5000 participants decorated the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate Soldiers. In the late 1800s the services included the observance of World War I veterans and we've kept up tradition by including the fallen veterans of all of our conflicts since.
It was in 1971 that Congress declared Memorial Day a National Holiday and set it to be celebrated the last Monday in May. This holiday is often confused with Veterans Day, which is celebrated in November, but Veterans Day is to celebrate all of our veterans, living and dead.
So remember the fallen in battle during the upcoming holiday weekend. When you are out with your family, take a moment to remember them. No matter what our personal feelings on war are, these brave people, our fathers, brothers and sisters, gave the very most for their country.
Labels: Decoration Day, Memorial Day
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