Memorial Day

In the United States, Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May and honors Americans who gave their lives for their country in wars. "Formerly called Decoration Day. Memorial Day pays tribute to the United States soldiers and sailors who have died in wars.

The custom began soon after the Civil War. In 1868 Gen. John A. Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, named May 30 for decorating the graves of Union soldiers. May 30 may have been chosen because that was the date of discharge of the last Union volunteers. Some states celebrate on the tradition date.

Confederate Memorial Day is observed in some Southern states on one of four days--April 26, April 28, May 10, or June 3."

"These heroes are dead. They died for liberty-they died for us.
They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under
the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the
sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, the embracing vines. They
sleep beneath the shadow of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine
or storm, each in the windowless palace of rest. Earth may run red
with other wars-they are at peace. In the midst of the battles, in
the roar of conflicts, they found the serenity of death."
~Author Unknown

"To live in the hearts of those you leave behind is never to die"
~Author Unknown~

	Eulogy for a Veteran Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the Gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die. -Author Unknown

	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 amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. ~Written by John McCrae~

Poppy is the common name for several related groups of flowers. Since the end of World War I, Memorial Day has also been Poppy Day. Volunteers sell small, red artificial poppies in order to help disabled veterans. In recent years, the custom has grown in most families to decorate the graves of loved ones on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day honors the American Military who have died in their service for the country.
What is the purpose of Memorial Day?
"Logan instructed Army installations to decorate graves and conduct special services as circumstances permitted. The general wrote the celebration had two purposes, other than honoring war undivided republic, and to renew our nation's pledge to assist the soldier's and sailor widows and orphans." ~From US Army Page~

Information about the Pearl Harbor visitors center
and the Arizona Memorial. Plus history and battle maps
of the attack. Personal accounts of survivors are given.

I know it says Independence Day but
My Faerie wanted to visit today too.

Images listed at this web site are not public domain
and not available for download. Thank you!!