Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. 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, but it is more likely that it had many separate beginnings. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.The Flanders poppy has been a part of the Memorial Day ritual since the early 1920s. During the First World War, the red poppies were seen to be among the first living plants that sprouted from the devastation of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium. Soldiers' folklore had it that the poppies were vivid red from having been nurtured in ground drenched with the blood of their comrades. The sight of the poppies on the battlefield at Ypres in 1915 moved Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write the poem In Flanders Fields.
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.
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.
In 1915, inspired by this poem, 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.
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
Moina Michael 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 sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need.
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Whether you are for or against the wars we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, please put those feelings aside this weekend and remember that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Take a few minutes to reflect on the men and woman that have given their all.
If there is parade near you, please attend and further honor the fallen. And whenever you see someone selling the red poppies, give them a dollar and help a vet! Thank you.
6 comments:
tony-thank you for this! i've heard this poem mentioned, but never read it! and i also, remember when i was little & out at the mall with mom at this time of year (she always called it 'decoration day' too), she'd always buy a red poppy for each of us!!
Thank you for your service to the country. Those who have been there really understand the meaning of this and the price of freedom. It's an argument for mandatory military service. If everyone would experience what our enlisted people are, they might take more seriously the work necessary to defend freedom.
Ya know here in South Africa we don't do a bit of parading - ever?
excellent and important post, tony. thank you for this. and yes, my girls will be marchin gin a parade and then we attend a small local ceremony afterward. it is important to remember.
thank you for your service.
Growing up a military brat, the true meanings of the memorial/veteran-related holidays are not lost in my mind, and I try to take a moment to honor the origin of the days as they roll around. But the story of the poppies is new to me... thanks so much for educating me!
And you're absolutely right... the true meaning of the holiday doesn't change as views, current politics, etc. change over time. That should be remembered and honored.
xoxo
Tara
Thank you Tony, for your service to our great country in 'Nam, for reminding us the true meaning of Memorial Day (and it's origins) AND for letting me know what the hell the red poppies were for. I've always wondered. Hope you had a great week-end with the lovely Lori! (pool open yet? Hmmmmm???)
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