Memorial Day MEMORIAL DAY, Remembering Our Fallen Heroes

Cooking With Carlo ^ | May 23 2003 | Carlo3b

[carlo3b]

Memorial Day

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes

A Brief History of Memorial Day Decoration Day The morning of May 5, 1865. The war weary townspeople of Waterloo, New York, continued the recent Sunday ritual of placing flowers, wreaths, and crosses on the graves of their fallen soldiers in their local cemetery. Much the same was happening throughout the country, in both the Northern and Southern states, as Americans slowly healed the wounds that ravaged our young nation during the Great Civil War. That same day, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, suggested at a social gathering that a more organized and official honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War. That idea was embraced by those in attendance, and from there a movement began to take shape. On May 5, 1866, additional civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated again on May 5, 1867. The following year, Retired Major General Jonathan A. Logan planned another ceremony, this time for the soldiers who survived the war. He led the veterans through town to the cemetery to decorate their comrades' graves with flags. This group was generally referred to as the "Old Guard." It was not a happy celebration, it was a memorial. The townspeople called it Decoration Day. During that memorial ceremony, the General delivered the following proclamation excerpt; Memorial Day Retired Major General Loan's proclamation; "The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country and during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit." There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves even before the end of the Civil War. A hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet, carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). At the first official memorial, flowers were placed on the graves of both the Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Poppy Day In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael (the mother of the Poppy) 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. She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one and sell poppies to her friends and co-workers, the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later, Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael, and when she returned to France, she also made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit the war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later, their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3-cent postage stamp with her likeness on it. Since the late 50's, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry have placed a small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. The first state to officially recognize Memorial Day as a holiday was New York, in 1873. By 1890, it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May, an official declaration passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act. Several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings.

[tame]

Click here to read about the beautiful tribute the Kern County family members of fallen heroes in the war on terrorism, and all military personell past and present receive.

[dansangel]

Morn' Dansangel, a extra special cup of java to you and 45MAN.

Thank-you for for the coffee, (((((((((((carlo))))))))). The pot was dry, it's contents long since drunk, by the time I got up (and it was only 7:00! .45MAN's usual hour of waking is 3:00, bless his heart!)

Thank-you also for your from-the-heart tribute to all of the men and women who served and sacrificed for our freedom. We must never take these brave souls for granted. I remember them daily in my morning prayers and I have "adopted" a specific military person to pray for from the Presidential Prayer Team website.

When you have a chnce, please stop by Today's Finest Thread where I have remembered a very special soldier from the Vietnam war.

Hugs and smoochies (((((((((Carlo))))))))). You wear your emotions on your sleeve and that's what endears me to you. We share an ethnic background so I know where your passion comes from. Be blessed!

[carlo3b]

"We Were Soldiers." If you have NOT seen it, I urge you to do so. It will be a very emotional experience.

Thanks for the tip, off to Blockbuster.. enjoy today my friend, we earned it.. LOL

[carlo3b]

I think my Uncle was a better man than most.
I think my Uncle was a better man than me.

I think your uncle would be proud to have known you my dear friend.. I know that we are...

[jellybean]

Good morning to everyone. A Good morning hug to my dear Jelly. Thank you for your service, and for sharing the touching Flags Of Our Fathers.. 

Good Morning, Sweetie!! (((Huggg)))

Thank YOU for YOUR service!!! Mine was inconsequential compared with what others have done. I fought in no battles nor risked my life, I merely put in my time.

If you haven't yet read Flags Of Our Fathers, I urge you to get a copy and read it. You'll also feel like you know these 6 young men who raised the flag.

[carlo3b]

What a beautiful tribute, thanks for that great thread..

[jellybean]

I shall probably watch my DVD version of it today. And I will again be moved to tears...

I bought the DVD a couple of weeks ago and have watched it almost every day since. It is a captivating tale of true bravery and heroism!

Being of Scottish heritage, the song that really stirred my blood and held me spellbound was Sgt. McKenzie. It's haunting...

Joseph Kilna McKenzie - Sgt. McKenzie

Original Scottish Version

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid

Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me

Nair mair shall a see the sun
For a fell tae a Germans gun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

English Translation

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I'll not be afraid

Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears

Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me

Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

Where before many more have gone

In memory of Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie
Seaforth Highlanders
Who along with many others gave up his life
So that we can live free
We will remember them

[Dick Bachert]

Carlo, DO NOT miss the bonus material on that DVD -- ESPECIALLY the unfortunately cut scene where Col. Moore meets with Westmoreland and Robert STRANGE McNamara. It sums up the whole Vietnam disaster in a nutshell.

And as Col. An declares in that post-combat scene, except for killing 58,200 Americans and wounding -- physically and emotionally -- scores of thousands of others and a million or so Vietnamese, IT CHANGED NOTHING!!

Thank you LBJ and McNamara!!

[Dick Bachert]

Jellybean, A KEEPER! THANK YOU for the words to Sgt. MacKenzie. It, too, is spellbinding and is used to great effect in the film.

And ditto on the hypnotic impact this film has had on some of us. It will become a classic of the genre.

[Freee-dame]

I wasn't able to figure out how the names are arranged on it

I think they are in alphabetical order grouped by date of death. Seeing the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial is a very moving experience.

[Thumper1960]

A simple pause to remember.

Even on a cloudy and gray day, with rain falling like tears of sorrowful remembrance.

A light from within illuminates the soul with memories of faithful love and fierce pride in the nation which gives us hope and those who sacrificed all to defend and extend that freedom.

God have mercy on the souls of our departed. God hold them in His merciful and tender busom.

[Teacup]

NEVER FORGET!Thanks for the Ping.

[carlo3b]

Bless you dear girl and a big thank you for that hubby of yours.. I'm remembering a lot of folks today, some that are/were very special are still never far from my daily thoughts.. seeing your name on a post, brings every back so clearly,... thanks for stopping by my friend.. Carlo

[carlo3b]

God have mercy on the souls of our departed. God hold them in His merciful and tender

TODAY WE ARE REMEMBERING THEM ALL... Thanks Thumper

[carlo3b]

...where Col. Moore meets with Westmoreland and Robert STRANGE McNamara. It sums up the whole Vietnam disaster in a nutshell.

I'm still bitter, even after all of these years, but that doesn't seem to bother me a bit, and I guess it may not be the Christian way, so be it.. I'll explain it to my maker when the time comes.
What a pity those Bastar@s never paid publicly for their WAR CRIMES, but they will someday...

[VOA]

bump

[carlo3b]

Thanks so much for stopping by, it's good to see you here..

[carlo3b]

Thank you Beanie, for posting that beautiful Scottish poem, it is another sobering reminder that people all over the world have a lot to be thankful for.. being carried on the shoulders of the brave... We will remember them.. all...

[maestro]

And,.....Thank you for this great post, it just reminds us what wonderful FReepers we have around here...

Amen,........More Grace and Mercy,.......In Jesus Precious Name, Amen!!!

[carlo3b]

it just reminds us what wonderful FReepers we have around here...

Isn't that the truth.. including you... :o)