We are currently in the middle of Memorial Day Weekend, considered by the majority of Americans to be the longest weekend that marks the start of summer vacation.
The distinctive American day is held on final Monday in May to remember of those who lost their lives during their service as soldiers in the United States military.
It is often mistaken for Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day designated to commemorate and pay tribute to all the veterans of the military who paid the ultimate price for their country. It’s a day of mourning to think about the deaths of loved ones and to remember the people to whom so much is due.
Veterans Day is a day to commemorate the work of all those who have been a part of our military. We commemorate Veterans Day each November with fireworks and patriotic music, and pay tribute to those who are still serving on active duty.
Memorial Day is a holiday that originated in the years following Civil War. Memorial Day holiday originated in the period following the Civil War and was known as “Decoration Day.” The American Civil War (1861-1865) killed 620,000 Americans more than any other war during U.S. history.
There are conflicting reports regarding the first “Decoration Day.” A group of former slaves living in Charleston, South Carolina, celebrated a day of celebration just one month following that the Confederate States of America surrendered in 1865. However, Waterloo, New York, receives official credit for the beginning of Memorial Day: On May 5th, 1866 the town held a celebration that saw businesses shut down and residents laid wreaths on the graves of their soldiers with flags and flowers.
In 1868, General. John A. Logan who was a member of the Union Army, called for an all-day commemoration day for the entire nation which he dubbed “Decoration Day.” It is believed that he picked the 30th of May of that year, as it didn’t mark the anniversary of a particular battle.
In the one Decoration Day, Gen. James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and thousands of people honored the graves of the thousands of Civil War soldiers buried there. Garfield was, of course became the 20th presidency of the United States. A number of Northern states had similar occasions.
Southern states honoured the veterans on different days up until World War I. The celebration evolved into a day to honor those in that American military who were killed in every war.
It was in 1968 that Congress approved in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This created Memorial Day as the last Monday of May and made Memorial Day a federal holiday. The new law was put into effect in 1971.
Today, veterans and communities groups continue to celebrate this Memorial Day holiday with somber ceremonies and the decorations of cemeteries, or the parade of flags.
In most cases, red poppies are presented to members of the American Legion Auxiliary and worn on the lapel. The tradition started in the aftermath of Canadian brigade surgeon Lieutenant. Colonel. John McRae who served in World War I, penned the poem “In Flanders Field,” in which he channeled voice of the soldiers who died that were laid to rest beneath the red poppies of Flanders, Belgium.
“In Flanders fields the poppies sway between Crosses, Row upon row
This is where we are up in the air
The larks are singin’ fervently are flying
Scarce heard among the gunshots below.
We are dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
We loved and were loved, but now we lay
“In Flanders field.”
In Andalusia The tribute flags for fallen soldiers can be seen in the Court Square, and very early on Monday mornings city employees as well as church volunteers will be displaying many American flags around our community.
The Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by the City of Andalusia is planned to begin at 10:00 a.m. on the morning of May 30 on the Covington County Veterans Memorial, which is located behind City Hall. The short program will feature singing of the National Anthem, remarks by the Rev. Eric Mancil, and the performance of the sweet, sorrowful notes that are “Taps.” The wreaths will be placed on the memorial in honor of all those who have died to defend the liberties Americans have enjoyed.
We hope you’ll be with us as we take a moment to think about the sacrifices of all the Americans who sacrificed their lives to ensure that we could be able to live peacefully.
– Michele Gerlach is the communications director for the city of Andalusia. She also serves as secretary of the Covington Veterans Foundation. She can be reached at michele.gerlach@cityofandalusia.com.
The article Memorial Day: A day to remember those who sacrificed everything was originally published at The Andalusia Star-News.
