Memorial Day - Decoration Day

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Memorial Day and the Buddy Poppy

Memorial Day is not simply a day to "kick off" the summer season. It's much more than a reason to clean up the BBQ or have a picnic at the lake. It's a solemn holiday when the US pays respect to all fallen troops from all military conflicts. We place flags on the graves of veterans, and the President lays a commemorative wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Parades on Memorial Day are generally low key processions of military groups, veterans groups, scouts and service organizations. They march to each cemetery and military shrine in a community, fire off salutes in honor of the dead, and place flags at grave sites. This is, for me, the true meaning of Memorial Day.

When I was a child our family observed Decoration Day (Memorial Day) as a solemn holiday. My grandmother was a proud Blue Star Mother during WWII. She was a nurse and an activist in Boston area military family organizations. Her sons - my uncles and my father - all served their country during World War II in various branches of the military. My dad was the youngest son, and served in the US Navy aboard the USS Lexington.

Every May we wore small paper poppies on our lapels in honor of veterans who had died in any war. These Buddy Poppies are still made today and given away around Memorial Day. The donations received for Buddy Poppies go directly to support disabled veterans and the families of fallen veterans.

Our family participated in some way each year - we attended the parades and listened as the bugler played taps at the cemetery. As kids we cringed at the 21-gun salutes, then scrambled to gather the shell casings after the color guard departed and the parade moved on to the next ceremonial site. And finally, when all the reverence was completed, we returned home to gather as a family, post our flag proudly, and share a meal together in remembrance of those who died protecting our freedom.

Marine bugler photo - courtesy Arlington National Cemetery collection

For the Fallen - Taps 

Military Taps

I made this video..first one...Please show respect to those that have fallen Thanks everyone for watching and commenting this video

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The True Meaning of Memorial Day 

Formerly Known as Decoration Day, A Solemen Observance

Memorial Day is a US holiday of reverence and respect for those who served the nation in military service. The holiday was formerly known as Decoration Day, and observed on May 30th every year. The first large observance of Decoration Day took place in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Several towns in both the North and South claim to have held the first Memorial Day. Some southern states observe a Confederate Memorial Day on a different date.

The original name for the holiday - Decoration Day - came from the practice of decorating the graves of soldiers who died during battles of the Civil War. The observance later expanded to commemorate fallen soldiers from all past or current conflicts, and then later still to include all US service veterans.

Photo Credit: wikimedia, public domain contribution by Remember

Memorial Day Ceremonies, Parades 

Memorial Day is a day marked by solemn military and government observances and local parades through the nation; many families also observe the day as one of personal tribute and reflection by decorating the graves of family members, both veterans and non-veterans. In recent years commercial enterprises have promoted the holiday as a 3-day kickoff to summer and family activities. As a result, the true meaning and history has grown slightly obscured in times of peace.

Each Memorial Day the president or vice president visits Arlington National Cemetery and lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Military honor guards fire their rifles in salute, speakers help the public remember the real meaning for Memorial Day, and parades featuring representatives of the armed forces, veterans organizations and veterans take place in communities large and small. Flags on public buildings fly at half staff until noon, then raise to the top of the flagpole for the rest of the day.

Most communities conduct cemetery ceremonies and place flags and/or flowers on the graves of veterans and hold public assemblies to honor local veterans who served in all campaigns and service branches. Taps played by a lone bugler, rifle shot salutes and placement of flags on graves or floral wreaths at monuments are all part of the day's observances. Following these solemn ceremonies, many communities sponsor picnics or other family gatherings to celebrate the memory of those honored earlier in the day.

Memorial Day Flags 

One Dozen (12) Memorial Day U.S.A. Flags 12-in x 18-in

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When IS Memorial Day? 

What was once a fixed date every year is now another "Monday Off" holiday

Memorial Day is observed on the third Monday in May.

The official date of celebration for Memorial Day changed in 1971 to the third Monday in May by an act of Congress, to establish a long weekend for the holiday observance. A few states in the US still observe May 30 as Memorial Day (New Hampshire is one state that still observes May 30 as a state Memorial Day holiday) in addition to the federal holiday; some southern states also observe a different day as a Confederate war dead holiday.

Other nations observe days of reverence and honor for their war and service veterans, including Australia, Canada and most European countries. Most nations, including the US, observe 11 November as Remembrance Day or Veterans Day.

Memorial Day at Arlington Cemetery 

21-Gun Salute and Taps at Marines Memorial 

3 Volley Salute and Taps at Marine Corps Memorial

Filmed during the weekly sunset parade. 21 gun salute and the a bugler (on top of the memorial) plays Taps.

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Poppies and Memorial Day 

The poppy symbolizes fallen dead - The Buddy Poppy program supports veterans and families of fallen troops.

The red poppy is the traditional flower to honor and commemorate veterans in North America, Europe and Australia. The red poppy was made famous by a poem - In Flanders Fields - written during World War I by Canadian army surgeon Lt. Col. John McCrae.Because of the oem's popularity, the red poppy was adopted as the Remembrance Flower for war dead of Britain, France, the United States, Canada and other Commonwealth countries. On Memorial Day, many US veterans wear a red lapel poppy to honor their fallen soldier buddies.

Non-veterans also wear the Buddy Poppy to honor those who died protecting our freedom. Since 1924, disabled veterans - who receive compensation for their work - have assembled Buddy Poppies in hospitals and "Poppy shops."

The VFW and American Legion Auxiliary distribute the official Buddy Poppies freely to the public in time for Memorial Day ceremonies, accepting only contributions for the poppies. All contributions received in exchange for Buddy Poppies go directly to fund assistance programs for needy or disabled veterans and to the immediate family survivors of fallen veterans.

In Flanders Fields 

The famous Memorial Day poem by John McCraw

When I was a child, we all learned this poem as part of our reading and penmanship classes during the month of May.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Memorial Day Resource Links 

Our recommended pages and articles about Memorial Day (Decoration Day)

Celebrate! Holidays In The U.S.A. - Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
A USIA Publication Celebrate - Holidays in the United States of America.
is an introductory survey of the historical and social background of American holidays.
Memorial Day History US Embassy
The history and meaning of US Memorial Day
VFW Buddy Poppy Program
Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.
Patriotic Printables
Free patriotic printables - banners, flags, posters, coloring pages, iron ons, stickers, clip art and free printable graphics of USA Patriotic, Canada Patriotic, Australia and Ireland flags, national symbols and patriotic emblems.
National Memorial Day Concert | PBS
On the eve of Memorial Day an annual tradition honors the bravery and sacrifice of America's service men and women with the top-rated, multi-award winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Dedicated to all the Americans who have served or hav
Memorial Day - The History of Memorial Day
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 commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan.
Guidelines for Display of the Flag - Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
Guidelines for Display of the US Flag
TAPS - the Story Behind the Bugler's "Lights Out" Call
24 Notes That Tap Deep Emotions by Jari A. Villanueva

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy.

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Memorial Day for Young Readers 

Teach Your Children Well About the True Meaning of Memorial Day

This weekly reader non-fiction book teaches children the true meaning of the USA Memorial Day holiday.

Memorial Day (Our Country's Holidays)

Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 11/10/2009)Buy Now
List Price: $7.00

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Memorial Day - Decoration Day

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Share Your Thoughts About Memorial Day/Decoration Day 

How do you observe Memorial Day?

pkmcr wrote...

An important reminder of the debt we owe around the world. Blessed by a Squid Angel

ReplyPosted November 04, 2009

mbgphoto wrote...

Wonderful lens! I always remember the poppy's that the American Legion has in May. They always have a parade and a Poppy Queen.
This lens is a wonderful tribute to to all who have served.

ReplyPosted May 27, 2009

JJNW wrote...

Thanks! I just donated to a vet to get a Poppy in honor of my recently deceased father, who was a Navy man. I had never seen them before and it is nice to hear the stories! 5* fellow Rocket Mom

ReplyPosted May 26, 2009

sandyspider wrote...

Very patriotic and beautiful lens.

ReplyPosted May 24, 2009

JenniferAkers wrote...

Fabulous lens! I loved reading In Flanders Fields poem - and the photo of red poppies was stunning.

ReplyPosted May 24, 2009

amandascloset0 wrote...

Wonderful lens! I really enjoy history and do read often but there is information here that I didn't know and more clairity on things I knew little about. Thank you for posting this, very informative. I have lensrolled this to my WWII Battle of Bastogne lens! 5 stars, fav'd, fan'd.

ReplyPosted May 23, 2009

drs2biz wrote...

A beautiful lens that has significance for people outside the USA as well - 5*s and a favourite!

ReplyPosted May 22, 2009

EverythingMouse wrote...

A beautiful lens. Blessings to you

ReplyPosted May 21, 2009

OhMe wrote...

This is beautiful and feels so very patriotic. Lensrolling to my Flag Day lens and Freedom Fest. Thank you making this special lens. The American Legion in our town will hold a Memorial Day Observance on Monday on our town square and I plan to be there.

ReplyPosted May 21, 2009

KarateKatGraphics wrote...

Thanks for sharing the Flanders Field poem--had not read it in a while. Wonderful lens, 5*****

ReplyPosted May 20, 2009

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About the Author 

Who is Pastiche?

Lensmaster Pastiche, aka Lee Hansen, has been a member since August 12 2007, has rated 1,345 lenses, favorited 502, and has created 121 lenses from scratch. Lee Hansen donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund and Room to Read. This member's top-ranked page is "Make Your Own Costumes, Masks and Face Paint". See all my lenses

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