The first official Memorial Day in the United States was observed on May 30, 1868, at the declaration of Civil War Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic. He cited the day to be: "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." source - America's Library
In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday and was moved to the last Monday of the month and expanded to cover all victims of American wars. In my childhood, Memorial Day weekend was always about traveling to several cemeteries with my family as my parents were quite staunch about decorating the graves of their parents and visiting other deceased family members. My dad was an Army and Korean War veteran and member of the American Legion and so he would also frequently be gone on the Monday holiday morning to go assist in Memorial Day observances. Nowadays in the work environment, the holiday seems more centered on being a three-day holiday and who's going to the lake or camping. It's the official "kick-off" to summer. For the past two years, at my job we have an employee, himself a veteran, who had the wonderful idea of creating a Memorial Wall of Honor and asked other employees to submit family members' or friends' names of those who served in the armed forces or were killed in action. I think this is one outstanding way to remember and honor those who served our country and made a tremendous sacrifice, sometimes with their lives.
So Narnia would like to take a moment to salute and thank all those who have paid this price and bravely have fought for our country over hundreds of years. We also remember those close to us personally who are now gone and no longer with us.
pic sources: Getty, happy diwali, penny holiday, pinterest, foxnews, exhibit city news, veteran owned business, oldtime radio, freeyork.org, boredpanda, findagrave, ic.galegroup, BrandMill
our playlist: America the Beautiful - Ray Charles
Battle Hymn of the Republic - Whitney Houston
Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
Amazing Grace - unknown
Patriotic Medley - Kate Smith, Dean Martin, Mickey
Rooney, Norm Crosby, Barbara Eden
Shenandoah - Van Morrison & the Chieftains
6 comments:
Awesome post PG. I have been lucky enough to visit Arlington Cemetery several times. It is an amazing experience. To see those thousands of tombsomes row by row is a actually breath taking. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the guard is beautiful. The Eternal Flame and the gravesite of JFK is incredible. If anyone is ever in the DC area Arlington is a must as is The Vietnam Wall. So many men have died for our country. They are true hero's as is everyone who serves. Currently my heart is heavy the current President has spread hate and division in this country like never before. I truly believe be has no respect for real Democracy. I think we will survive him and learn from our mistakes. America always comes together in the end.
I wish the same, Tom. And, I agree with your shout out to PG as well. An absolutely stunning post. I just love Ray Charles' version of "America the Beautiful".
We crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
That's what men and women have died for, and always will be the true spirit of who we are as a people and as a promise of a more perfect union. E pluribus unum Out of many, one. Diversity has always been what has made America uniquely strong and extraordinary.
Thanks Tom and M&M, finding the material was truly a venture in humility and education.
The music was fun to find, too. Have always loved Ray Charles' version of America and boy, it was just a reminder of how much presence Whitney Houston had on a stage and her voice was incredible.
Just a belated echoing of everyone's comments on how beautiful this post is. I watched a PBS special on D-Day, and while I'd of course always known what happened there, but it was a real eye-opener to see the actual places and have a better understanding of what a sacrifice it was, words fail me.
Hi Destiny! You know, I had added several more happy pictures because I wanted to emphasize that all our service people have families and friends and pets. Their work environment involves fun times with each other just like we enjoy our co workers and have good times. They sacrifice this when their lives are lost, for a reason that was not of their doing.
It's a real bummer to be back at work today, lol. Re-entry is tough, even after a simple weekend it can be tough. *sigh*
Woohoo, Stars on 45!!!! Wow, does THAT take me back. lol. I was perusing through songs on the internet and somehow this number came up and wow. I haven't heard Stars on 45 forever. Great stuff. Anyway, it's an 80's playlist right now.
Pardon me while I go boogie back to my fanfic and see if I can't write just a bit more.
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