Memorial Day in the USA - Monday, May 27, 2024

[Northern Star Girl]

One of the most solemn and important holidays in the USA is the upcoming Memorial Day...
               

Sadly, much of the younger generation think that the Memorial Day holiday weekend is
only about picnics, camping, hamburgers, hotdogs, and the "unofficial" beginning of summer.

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed annually on the last Monday of May, honoring
the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Memorial Day 2024 will occur on Monday, May 27, 2024

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and
became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials and decorating fallen
military members graves with American Flags.
               

Americans also observe Memorial Day by holding family gatherings and participating in parades.

Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began
with a World War I poem.
On a less somber note, many people take weekend trips or throw parties and barbecues on the
holiday, perhaps because Memorial Day weekend—the long weekend comprising the Saturday and
Sunday before Memorial Day.

I am forever thankful to those fallen military members who died all around the world
while defending our country and our freedoms.

Warmest Regards and thank you to those that are all about what Memorial Day really means.
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator
                                US AirForce Veteran... served right after college.
                                      1st Lt   First Lieutenant
                                      Much of that time at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas
                                      Staff at the Air Education and Training Command

[Sarah B]

Hi Everyone

Danielle wrote about "Memorial Day in the USA" and she mentioned the poppy poem from World War I.  I learnt about the poem in school.  It was called "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae,


In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields, the poppies grow
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.[1]

In reading Danielle's post I learned a little bit more about our 'history', Decoration Day, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and of course Remembrance Day.[2]  I never served in the armed forces and I will always be grateful for those who died all around the world while defending our countries and our freedoms.

Celebrate the day and the weekend, in your own way.

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
Official Greeter
[1]    In Flanders Fields
[2]    Remembrance Day

 @Northern Star Girl [Danielle]