I received this today via email from “Breaking Christian News” and thought I’d share it with my friends. I pray God blesses our soldiers and their families. I also pray God will bless America and forgive her people. May we be a sweet aroma to our Lord …
Memorial Day: a Day to Remember
Aimee Herd (May 30, 2011)
“Memorial Day is a day unlike any other. Since 1868 we have come together in our communities, towns and villages, to place flowers and flags on the graves of those who have given their last full measure of devotion to our country. We have come here to remember and honor those who have done their duty, as God allowed them to see that duty.” –Peter W. Shramm
In case you ever wondered how Memorial Day got its start, below is a little history of the day set aside to remember those who have paid the ultimate price in the various wars in which America has fought.Although many don’t really stop to consider the reason for this holiday, the fact remains that the cherished freedoms we enjoy in this country were not free, but came at the price of lives laid down.
It’s our history, and—at least in this correspondent’s humble opinion—it’s important for us to remember how we came to this place and to honor those lives.
Click on the link below to watch a moving Memorial Day Tribute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u6IcIqri8E
History of Memorial Day from The History Channel
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, MS; Macon, GA; Richmond, VA; Boalsburg, PA; and Carbondale, IL.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, NY, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America’s wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
Hey there Beth!
Thanks for sharing this with us! Very informative.
My heart remembers all the fallen men and women who gave their lives for us. I appreciate them very much and their families.
Thankful for all the men and women who continue to serve us DAILY. Praying for them and their families too.
I pray you and yours are doing good. I've not been over to visit in some time but you know I love you. It's been an incredible, challenging and over the top blessed season of my life for many months and I thank God for it.
Love you dear! Keep living for Jesus!