MONDAY May 27, 2024
Memorial Day
All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king.
1 Chronicles 12:38
Are you aware of the true meaning of Memorial Day? It is nice to have a three-day weekend for sure, but what of the sacrifices made to make this long weekend possible? Enjoy your family and friends as you barbecue, especially knowing that summer days are fast approaching, but be mindful of something else that is special to do on Memorial Day. Did you know that on every Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00pm? Why not include this solemn moment in your time together to remember those who have died.
Memorial Day is a national holiday in which we honor those in military service who have died fighting the war for our freedom. Initially, Memorial Day was observed on May 30; however, in 1971, it became a national holiday when Congress decided to change the date to the last Monday of May, in order to create a three-day weekend.
It was Major General John A. Logan, a Civil War Veteran, who founded Memorial Day in 1868. After the Civil War ended, a small group of women honored the soldiers of both the North and the South by placing flowers on their graves. It was important not to forget their tremendous sacrifices. Therefore, Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day, as the graves of the fallen were decorated with flowers and flags. Since then, the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.
On Memorial Day, since 1921, people have also worn red poppies to help remember those who have died at war. This movement was started by an American professor named Moina Michael, who read the well-known poem In Flanders Fields, written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian who served as a brigade Surgeon in World War I. He treated thousands of wounded soldiers. Sadly, in January 1918, toward the end of the war, John died of pneumonia.
“...we are highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government, by the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
~Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 1863~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!