Posted on 05/29/2011 2:56:56 PM PDT by Salvation
Decoration Day is what I always knew it as.
I’ve never seen the poppy-selling done for Memorial Day, ever. I always have associated the poppies with Remembrance Day (November 11) in the Commonwealth countries much more so than with Memorial Day here. I didn’t know about that, thanks!
}:-)4
I sure do. And I was told this day was originally set aside to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers who died defending freedom.
It was always ‘Decoration Day’ to my mom. Which is why my sis and I got out to the cemetary and decorated the graves. Mom never missed Decoration Day. It just was not done.
I remember that! I also recall that it always fell on May 30th.
Or so I’ve heard... ;o]
Rest in Peace Heroes.. Thank you for our Freedom!
The jets just did a flyover headed for the Portland area.
I’m proud to claim the good general (John Alexander Logan) as an ancestor (an uncle actually).
Memorial Day, for many, means the beginning of Summer. To others, it is a day off to shop. But, as I am sure you really know Memorial Day is a day to honor those who have died in the service of this country.
The word memorial comes from the Latin Memorare which is in an imperative meaning: Remember! So, Memorial Day is Remember! Day.
This is a day to remember that there are men and women who have died so that you and I could live with greater security, justice and peace. May these fallen soldiers rest in Peace. We owe them a debt of gratitude and our prayers.
In a secondary sense we can also honor those today who currently serve in the military since they have placed their lives on the line for our security and peace.We will have a second opportunity to thank those who still live on Veterans Day.
God bless them all, and may the dead rest in peace.
The Love of ones country (Patriotism) is related to the fourth commandment. The Catechism teaches:
It is the duty of citizens to contribute to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity and freedom. The love and service of ones country follow from the the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. (CCC # 2239)
The Lord himself makes it plain: No one has greater love than this, to lay down ones life for ones friends. (John 15:13).
My Cousin, John Clem, has blogged on how his parish celebrated Memorial Day by remembering the cost, the high cost, of war in human terms: HERE: Eyes Wide Open
Never forget the price others have paid for our freedom. Pray for our fallen soldiers of every generation and their families. Perhaps you might use this video as a way to meditate on the sacrifices they made. Here the text of the song Mansions of the Lord and the video follows:
To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord
No more weeping,
No more fight,
No prayers pleading through the night,
Just Divine embrace,
Eternal light,
In the Mansions of the Lord
Where no mothers cry
And no children weep,
We shall stand and guard
Though the angels sleep,
Oh, through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord
Photo Credit above: The U.S. Army via Creative Commons
Excellent post.
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