Memorial Day History

USMemorialDay.org ^ | 1994-2005 | USMemorialDay.org

[Salvation]

Sources and related links:

• Boalsburg, Pa., Birthplace of Memorial Day
  [www.rootsweb.com/~pacentre/memory.htm]
• DC City Pages: History of Memorial Day
  [www.cnn.com/US/9805/25/memorial.day.wrap/]
• General Logan Biography
  [www.jal.cc.il.us/johnlogan.html]
• General Logan's General Order 11
  [www.usmemorialday.org/order11.html]
• Help Restore the Traditional Day of Observance of Memorial Day
  [www.usmemorialday.org/act.html]
• Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920 from Duke University)
  [memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/ncdhtml/hasmhome.html]

• How to Observe Memorial Day
  [www.usmemorialday.org/observe.htm]
• Luminaria Program
  [www.nps.gov/frsp/luminari.htm]
• Memorial Day Events - Dept of Veterans Affairs
  "The Office of Public Affairs provides this page of items that may be of special interest to veterans and customers."
  [www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/index.asp]
• The Origins of Memorial Day
  [www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp#hist]
• Roy, Nuhn. Portfolio: To Honor The Memory of the Departed. American History Illustrated 1982 17[3]: 20-25.
  
• S 189 and H.R. 1474, bills to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day.
  [www.usmemorialday.org/act.html]
• "S. Con. Res. 100", resolution for a National Moment of Remembrance.
  [www.usmemorialday.org/resolution.html]
• Statement on Signing the National Moment of Remembrance Act
  [www.usmemorialday.org/Speeches/President/dec2800.txt]

• Taps Information
  [www.usmemorialday.org/taps.html]
• Today in History: May 30
  American Memory project, The Library of Congress
  [memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may30.html]
• VFW's "Buddy" Poppy program
• Waterloo, Official Birthplace of Memorial Day
  [www.rootsweb.com/~nyseneca/memorial.htm]

[Salvation]

Does anyone else besides me remember your folks calling Memorial Day, Decoration day?

[w1andsodidwe]

Of course, that is what it was called when I was a child before the government made it a three day holiday falling on Monday.

[Dust in the Wind]

Yep, and I still do occasionally because of that memory.

[lysie]

Yes, indeed. This is why. Thank you Gramp.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1978 OSWEGO VALLEY NEWS PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS the contributions of individual men may not be recorded in the ledgers of history for the world to recognize and remember, yet are the bases for whatever steps forward have been made in a civilized society; and

WHEREAS the contributions of individual men may be quiet, unpublicized, and without material reward yet have the impact of inspiration, respect and positive influence on the lives of everyone touched by their presence; and

WHEREAS Walter J . Buell, died on March 20, 1978 after a long and giving life to family, friends and to the veterans of our community, was just such a man—quiet, gentle, but unswerving in his service to others; and

WHEREAS Walter J . Buell, never a veteran himself but the grandson of a Civil War Veteran, worked in respect of his father’s contribution in the service of his country by his own personal service on behalf of the Sons of Veterans organization and as President of the Fulton Veterans Council;

WHEREAS Walter J . Buell is remembered by all who knew him as travelling miles during Memorial Day seasons to make certain that every veteran’s grave in every cemetery for many miles around was marked with an American flag; and maintained constant personal contact with the members of the area’s veterans organizations, working actively in the best interest of those who fought for their country;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED in this Memorial Day period of remembrance that Walter J. Buell also be remembered and recognized as a man of consequence, a man of gentle manners, but strong conviction who gave without thought of reward or personal recognition, who participated actively in every Memorial Day observance throughout his adult life, and it made a difference in the quality of life for those whose lives touched his.

Percy E. Patrick
Mayor City of Fulton

[Salvation]

**In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
**

Do they still sell poppies like this?

[lysie]

Yes. In this area they do.

[goodnesswins]

YEP....I remember. I also remember the Poppies...

[goodnesswins]

I have heard at the Cemetery tomorrow on Commercial (Salem) they will have a service at 11am...and there maybe Poppies there!

[Salvation]

A time for honor

A solemn tradition the Army uses to honor its fallen soldiers is the memorial ceremony. This patriotic event provides soldiers an opportunity to grieve their losses and render final honors. It is …

 

http://catholicherald.com/local_news/detail.html?sub_id=15854

[Cannon6]

On April 25,1866, the ladies of Columbus, MS decorated the graves of the Confederates. When they realized there was no one to decorate graves of the North, they returned for more flowers. A renown Poet, Francis Miles Finch, rode out to the cemetery to see what was going on. He wrote the poem The Blue and the Gray. Check it out. Very moving.

[PROCON]

Thanks for posting!

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

May our fallen Confederate soldiers rest in peace.

[OldPossum]

Thanks for the posting. Very moving information.

You might want to cc the White House, so that Obama can get up to speed. You could condense it into a description of what the holiday celebrates since he doesn’t appear to know that.

[Salvation]

Nope, that’s what he has a press secretary for. LOL!

[Salvation]

The Blue And The Gray
Francis Miles Finch (1827-1907)

By the flow of the inland river,
    Whence the fleets of iron have fled,
Where the blades of the grave-grass quiver,
    Asleep are the ranks of the dead:
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day;
        Under the one, the Blue,
            Under the other, the Gray

These in the robings of glory,
    Those in the gloom of defeat,
All with the battle-blood gory,
    In the dusk of eternity meet:
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgement-day
        Under the laurel, the Blue,
            Under the willow, the Gray.

From the silence of sorrowful hours
    The desolate mourners go,
Lovingly laden with flowers
    Alike for the friend and the foe;
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgement-day;
        Under the roses, the Blue,
            Under the lilies, the Gray.

So with an equal splendor,
    The morning sun-rays fall,
With a touch impartially tender,
    On the blossoms blooming for all:
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day;
        Broidered with gold, the Blue,
            Mellowed with gold, the Gray.

So, when the summer calleth,
    On forest and field of grain,
With an equal murmur falleth
    The cooling drip of the rain:
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment -day,
        Wet with the rain, the Blue
            Wet with the rain, the Gray.

Sadly, but not with upbraiding,
    The generous deed was done,
In the storm of the years that are fading
    No braver battle was won:
        Under the sod adn the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day;
        Under the blossoms, the Blue,
            Under the garlands, the Gray

No more shall the war cry sever,
    Or the winding rivers be red;
They banish our anger forever
    When they laurel the graves of our dead!
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day,
        Love and tears for the Blue,
            Tears and love for the Gray.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

My late father, a World War II veteran, always called the holiday “Decoration Day.”

[meadsjn]

Flag Etiquette, Folding the Flag, and WHY THE AMERICAN FLAG IS FOLDED 13 TIMES (courtesy of American Legion Post 143, Post Falls, Idaho)

[M. Espinola]

Excellent historic thread!

[1010RD]

Bravo.