Meaning Of Memorial Day
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The history of Memorial Day goes back in United States American history to just after the Civil War. Southern ladies in the south would visit the graves of Confederate soldiers and place flowers there to remember their sacrifice and bravery, to protect the freedoms for which they fought. Those in the north would also visit the graves of the sons who lost their life protecting those at home. Soon after, around 1868 many came to Arlington National Cemetery to lay down gifts of flowers there to remember the heroes who died in the Civil War. Ever since that time, people have yearly remembered those fallen for the sake of freedom. It wasn't until the mid-1960's that Memorial Day became a national holiday in the U.S.A. The meaning of Memorial Day is "Decoration Day", when the graves were decorated with flowers to honor the soldiers who fought and died for this country.
The southern states were the last to join in celebrating the meaning of Memorial Day with the northern states, and some states still have separate days of remembrance in addition to Memorial Day. At first the remembrance was just for those who died in the Civil War, and then it gradually came to also remember and respect those who have fallen in any war since that time. In 1915 a poet wrote a short verse that included the poppy as a symbol of the blood that was shed during the wars. Ever since that time, the idea has spread across the world. Various organizations have taken her idea and now wear poppies on lapels and shirts when raising money for those affected by the war. This is why today, when a person gives donations to the VFW or other organizations, an artificial poppy will be handed to the donor to honor the history of Memorial Day.
In recent decades, the holiday has been relegated to being celebrated on the last Monday in the Month of May, instead of on May 30th. The Federal Government did this in order to extend the weekend. Many people feel that this takes away from the solemnity of this time as one of remembrance, and want to help remind the American people about what it is for. The meaning of Memorial Day is not to celebrate, but to remember and honor those who have fallen in duty to country. There are several organizations like the Boy and Girl Scouts of America who yearly place small flags on the graves in Washington D.C. About 1200 soldiers also do this every year. In 2000 our government created a "National Day of Remembrance" to get back on track remembering soldiers who have died in the wars over the years. However it seems that every year fewer and fewer cities are taking the time to remember the history of Memorial Day and the meaning of Memorial Day, and instead use it as a way to have fun and make money.
One way to keep this holiday honorable would be to set aside some time for the family to visit a cemetery, and place flowers on the graves of soldiers who have died in the wars across the decades. Have a moment of silence and even pray for the families who lost loved ones. Do not let the holiday pass without having everyone in the family understand the meaning of Memorial Day and the history of Memorial Day. Reminders of wars past and present are everywhere around us. Veterans have lost body parts and now must live life in wheelchairs, crippled by the sacrifice made for this country. If the opportunity presents itself, say a thank you to these people, for it may be the only time anyone has recognized the individual's sacrifice. Remember to honor them and the flag when they pass by in parades and in ceremonies. One day a fallen veteran could be someone very close. In the Bible, it speaks of Jesus Christ, who gave His life so that others could live and have eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 KJV).
Churches often take time to remember soldiers who have given lives for the sake of country by a moment of silence, and also have those who are currently serving the U.S.A. to stand and be noticed. There may be a flag ceremony as well. Some cities have gun salutes, read the Gettysburg Address and then visit graves in local cemeteries. Choirs sing patriotic songs and say thank you to everyone who is alive who served in the armed forces. Perhaps this day would be a good time to find some books written by people who have served in the armed forces, and actually had combat experience. Doing this gives people a first-hand appreciation of the sacrifices American men and women have made for all Americans. Even other countries recall those who have died in service to country, and Belgium has a memorial in the Ardenne region specifically made for those American soldiers who died defending Belgium from Nazi Germany.
The Belgian memorial is in the shape of a many pointed star. On each side of each point of the star is written a state in the U.S.A. Inside is a war museum with movies and war memorabilia showing the sacrifices made by American men and women during World War II. If other countries can make the time to remember those who have fallen, how much more then should Americans take the time to solemnly remember the meaning of this holiday and those who made the greatest sacrifice of all?
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