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| General John Logan |
me·mo·ri·al
[muh-mawr-ee-uh
l, -mohr-] Show
IPA
l, -mohr-] Show
IPA
noun
1.
something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event,etc., as a monument or a holiday.
2.
a written statement of facts presented to a sovereign, alegislative body, etc., as the ground of, or expressed in the formof, a petition or remonstrance.
adjective
3.
preserving the memory of a person or thing; commemorative:memorial services.
4.
of or pertaining to the memory.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin memoriāle, noun use of neuterof Latin memoriālis for or containing memoranda. See memory, -al1
We have Armed Forces Day to honor those serving in the military. We have Veteran's Day to honor those who served and survived. I thank you for putting you lives on the line for freedom. However, it seems some have forgotten the reason for the day off the last Monday in May.
Originally referred to as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was a day of reconciliation and a coming together to honor fallen Civil War soldiers. In 1868, General John Logan officially proclaimed the need of a day of remembrance. It was first observed on 30 May 1868. Flowers were placed on all the Union and Confederate soldiers' graves.
In 1873, New York state was to first recognize Memorial Day. By 1890 all the Northern states did. The South, however, refused to recognize it until after World War I. Until then, they chose to honor their fallen soldiers separately. After World War I, it was changed to honor all American wars. The actual birthplace of Memorial Day is considered Waterloo, New York. In May of 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson declared it a national holiday.
We cherish too the Poppy red
That goes on fields when valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
~Moina Michael
Originally referred to as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was a day of reconciliation and a coming together to honor fallen Civil War soldiers. In 1868, General John Logan officially proclaimed the need of a day of remembrance. It was first observed on 30 May 1868. Flowers were placed on all the Union and Confederate soldiers' graves.
In 1873, New York state was to first recognize Memorial Day. By 1890 all the Northern states did. The South, however, refused to recognize it until after World War I. Until then, they chose to honor their fallen soldiers separately. After World War I, it was changed to honor all American wars. The actual birthplace of Memorial Day is considered Waterloo, New York. In May of 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson declared it a national holiday.
We cherish too the Poppy red
That goes on fields when valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
~Moina Michael
Traditional observance of Memorial day has
diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning
and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen
are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper
flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold
Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think
the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service
to our country
On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced
bill S
189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance
of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May".
On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R.
1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee
on Government Reform. To this day, the bill has not been past.
In December 2000, our nation was asked that on Memorial Day, at 3:00 PM, a National Moment of Remembrance be observed in silence or listening to Taps.
I've been lucky. Not one member of my family who was in the military perished in battle but, I will spend my day, remembering yours.
In December 2000, our nation was asked that on Memorial Day, at 3:00 PM, a National Moment of Remembrance be observed in silence or listening to Taps.
I've been lucky. Not one member of my family who was in the military perished in battle but, I will spend my day, remembering yours.
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