Let’s Remember Decoration Day

Before Memorial Day became  only a three day weekend and a vehicle for sales promotions, it represented real emotional commitment to the service men who died defending our county.  The Buddy Poppy program developed by the Veterans of Foreigh Wars has symbolized this committment since 1924.  The poppy represents the poppies among the fallen soldiers at Flanders Field in WWI.

In Flander’s Field
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.

As a kid I remember going to the cemetery on Decoration Day with flowers for the graves of our loved ones, particularly the soldiers.  Apparently it was officially named Memorial Day in 1882 but that name never really grabbed the hearts and mind of Americans until the day was moved to the last Monday in May and became just another three day weekend.  In 1967, Federal Law designated the day as a National Holiday and formalized the use of Memorial Day instead of Decoration Day.  Just one more thing thoroughly messed up in the 60’s.

Take a moment this weekend to remember the real meaning of this day, maybe even visit a cemetery and take some flowers for the grave of a veteran.  Put the real meaning of decoration day back in Memorial Day.