” On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation!”
This is my annual Memorial Day tribute. I hope you remember those to whom we owe so much.
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. There is also evidence that organized women’s groups in the South were decorating graves 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.” 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; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860′s tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. 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.
Memorial Day
“Dulce et decorum est”
The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmic with the feet
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.
The roses blossom white and red
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead
And martial music cleaves the sky.
Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.
Through flying lead and crimson steel
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.
May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God.
In shining rank on rank arrayed
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace . . . Who brought a sword.
Tags: Memorial Day parade
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
May 26, 2014 at 10:30 am
Thanks Kat.
Sometimes we forget the real reason for the holiday. We get wrapped up in celebrating the start of the summer season on the lake while consuming huge amounts of beer. We get overcome with furniture or car sales while running out to help the economy recover. We get wrapped up in car races or golf tournaments instead of pausing to remember why we no longer hold slaves, or speak German, or bow to an emperor. Our freedoms came with a price paid by young men and woman. It was paid by soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines sacrificing their lives so that we can be free. All the pomp and ceremony at Arlington cemetery can’t substitute for our individual thanks and remembrance. You don’t have to go to a National cemetery and lay flowers you just have to pause and say thanks for all that we have in this great country.
May 26, 2014 at 10:33 am
Bob,
That is a perfect tribute!
May 26, 2014 at 10:59 pm
A tip of the (imaginary) hat to you, flyboybob. Nicely written.
May 26, 2014 at 1:49 pm
As You know we don’t have such a day over here since we haven’t been to war since we helped bring down Napoleon.
Have a good Memorial Day!
Christer.
May 26, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Christer,
I envy you the lack of war dead to remember!