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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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 Fri May 28, 2004 11:35 am Our Heroes |
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| Quote: | History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, perhaps more than any other holiday, was born of human necessity. Deep inside all of us lies a fundamental desire to make sense of life and our place in it and the world. What we have been given, what we will do with it and what we will pass to the next generation is all part of an unfolding history, a continuum that links one soul to another.
Abraham Lincoln pondered these thoughts in the late fall of 1863. His darkest fear was that he might well be the last president of the United States, a nation embroiled in the self-destruction of what he described as "a great civil war..testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure." He began his remarks with those words as he stood on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19th of that year.
The minute's speech that became known as Lincoln's Gettysburg Address turned into what might be called the first observance of Memorial Day. Lincoln's purpose that day was to dedicate a portion of the battlefield as a cemetery for the thousands of men, both living and dead, who consecrated that soil in the sacrifice of battle. Said Abraham Lincoln: "That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause which they gave the last full measure of devotion...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom..."
About that same time in 1865, a druggist in Waterloo, New York, Henry C. Welles, began promoting the idea of decorating the graves of Civil War veterans. He gained the support of the Seneca County Clerk, General John B. Murray, and they formed a committee to make wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran's grave. On May 5, 1866, war veterans marching to martial music led processions to each of three cemeteries, where the graves were decorated and speeches were made by General Murray and local clergymen. The village itself was also decorated with flags at half-mast, evergreen boughs and mourning black streamers.
Also, as the Civil War was coming to a close in the spring of 1865, Women's Auxiliaries of the North and South moved from providing relief to the families and soldiers on their own sides to joining in efforts to preserve and decorate the graves of both sides. A woman of French extraction and leader of the Virginia women's movement, Cassandra Oliver Moncure, took responsibility of coordinating the activities of several groups into a combined ceremony on May 30. It is said that she picked that day because it corresponded to the Day of Ashes in France, a solemn day that commemorates the return of the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte to France from St. Helena.
In 1868, General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic issued a General Order establishing May 30 as an official memorial day to pay respect to all those who had died, in war or peace.
On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
As already mentioned this 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo�which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866�because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day:
Mississippi: Last Monday in April
Alabama: Fourth Monday in April
Georgia: April 26
North Carolina: May 10
South Carolina: May 10
Louisiana: June 3
Tennessee (Confederate Decoration Day): June 3
Texas (Confederate Heroes Day): January 19
Virginia: Last Monday in May
Perhaps General Logan's proclamation was simply the making official of what the nation yearned for and spontaneously began to form after the near total destruction of the Civil War. It is that sharing of loss, honoring the sacrifices of those who made possible the lives we enjoy today, and family connections across the generations that keep Memorial Day in our hearts...and always will.
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Memorial Day should be an important day for everyone, regardless of your political stance. If you frequent WN, you'll see that there are a great many opinions regarding everything. But we should never forget those who died for our respective countries, who, in essence, died for us.
Last edited by Theresa on Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:49 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Fri May 28, 2004 11:54 am |
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Fri May 28, 2004 12:13 pm |
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I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. This topic is meant for every nation. The "US" in the topic title was just to tell the date of the holiday here in America. Like Jeremy so kindly reminded me, the 60th Anniversary of D-Day is the 6th. I meant for this to be a topic to honor all of our soldiers.
| Quote: | Unlearned Lesson
Memorial Day
Of every year
The little valiant
Flags appear
On every fallen
Soldier's grave--
Symbol of what
Each died to save.
And we who see
And still have breath--
Are we no wiser
For their death?
~Dorothy Brown Thompson~
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Last edited by Theresa on Fri May 28, 2004 1:04 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Fri May 28, 2004 1:02 pm |
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Captain Dappet
Forum Revolutionist
Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 16756
Location: On my supersonic rocket ship.
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| Fri May 28, 2004 2:08 pm |
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All honour to all soldiers who fought in the Second World War.
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Seven of Nine
Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001
Posts: 7871
Location: North East England
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| Fri May 28, 2004 5:09 pm |
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We have Rememberance Day, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (November). It was originally to remember those who died in the First World War, but now it is a time to remember all those who fought in any war.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Fri May 28, 2004 9:48 pm |
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Yeah, Jeremy and I discussed that, too,  Talked about the Battle of Britain, etc...
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And some have to live with our scars
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Josi Rockholt
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 29 Dec 2001
Posts: 10136
Location: Boston, Ma
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| Fri May 28, 2004 9:53 pm |
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| Seven of Nine wrote: | | We have Rememberance Day, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (November). It was originally to remember those who died in the First World War, but now it is a time to remember all those who fought in any war. |
That's Veteran's Day for the U.S.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat May 29, 2004 10:30 am |
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"When you go home,
Tell them of us and say,
For their tomorrow,
We gave our today."
~The Kohima Epitaph
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat May 29, 2004 10:32 am |
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Taps
"Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.
"Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
"Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night."
Composed By Major General Daniel Butterfield
Army of the Potomac, Civil War
I don't know the UK version. (I know there is one, but not what it is, someone want to post it?)
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Seven of Nine
Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001
Posts: 7871
Location: North East England
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| Sat May 29, 2004 10:35 am |
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I think it's similar... because I remember singing the "Day is done, gone the sun" bit in Brownies... I'll see if I can find it.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat May 29, 2004 10:40 am |
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^Thanks. I know there was one called "Lights Out".
Has anyone seen this picture IRL? The quality of the image here isn't very good, but this is an awesome painting. Made me cry the first time I saw it, 
(It's one of a three part series)
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Seven of Nine
Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001
Posts: 7871
Location: North East England
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| Sat May 29, 2004 10:45 am |
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I think we use the same one... I can't find a different one, and that's the one used for our Brownies and Guides.
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Seven of Nine
Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001
Posts: 7871
Location: North East England
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sat May 29, 2004 9:18 pm |
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During the dedication of the World War II monument today, my dad started crying, when I asked him why, all he said was "I'm glad they take the time to honor fallen soldiers now, because I remember comming home from Vietnom with two canes, after being shot in the chest and seeing my best friend killed, and all the people did, was spit at me and scream 'BABY KILLER' at the top of their lungs, because thats all I was, a baby killer."
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat May 29, 2004 10:06 pm |
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Well, that's a *beep* comment. Vietnam vets are not baby killers. Apparently you need to research your history, and your father needs counseling.
BTW, your father is close to 60?
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Some of us fall by the wayside
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And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Captain Dappet
Forum Revolutionist
Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 16756
Location: On my supersonic rocket ship.
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| Sun May 30, 2004 11:41 am |
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I felt like honouring the Russians who died in WW2. For every American life lost in WW2, 59 Soviet soldiers died.
"We fought for the future, destroyed the invaders,
and brought to our Homeland the Laurels of Fame.
Our Glory will live in the Memory of Nations
and All Generations will Honour Her Name.
Long live our Soviet Motherland"
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun May 30, 2004 11:49 am |
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No, Freedom Isn't Free
Author unkown
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
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And some have to live with our scars
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun May 30, 2004 11:50 am |
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Tobe, you liked the movie, "Enemy at the Gates", right? (Except for the accents?)
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Some of us fall by the wayside
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And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Captain Dappet
Forum Revolutionist
Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 16756
Location: On my supersonic rocket ship.
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| Sun May 30, 2004 12:36 pm |
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Never seen it. I watch very few movies.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun May 30, 2004 1:13 pm |
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Hmmm, I remember discussing it w/ someone online, maybe it was Dan,
It was about Stalingrad. VERY good movie. Also very violent and bloody, so don't watch it if that kind of thing bothers you.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Mon May 31, 2004 4:00 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | Well, that's a *beep* comment. Vietnam vets are not baby killers. Apparently you need to research your history, and your father needs counseling.
BTW, your father is close to 60? |
yeah, he's 54 he was drafted when he was 18 I think.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Tue Jun 01, 2004 12:29 pm |
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| Quote: |
The Unknown Soldier
�I'm the unknown soldier
Who you refuse to know
I'm the brother and the friend
You left so long ago.
I'm a farmer from Missouri
A soldier from St. Paul
I'm my sister's hero
I'm the name on THE WALL.
I'm the unknown soldier
The one you left behind
I'm the country boy from Texas
Who you never tried to find.
"I'm someone's long lost daddy
I'm my father's pride and joy
I was someone's gentle lover
And someone's little boy.
I'm the unknown soldier
With no more tears to shed
I'm the ghost of Christmas past
I'm the living dead.
I'm a sailor and a scholar
I'm the boy who lived next door
I'm the poet and the dropout
You sent to fight your war.
I'm the unknown soldier
Who dreamed you'd rescue me
I'm the man who understands
Only death will set me free.
How could you just forget me?
Should I forget you, too?
You must TRY to bring me home
for I belong to you.
I'm the unknown soldier
whose cries are all in vain.
Would you finally come for me
If you could `feel my pain'?
My country has betrayed me
But I've forgiven you
And, every night I pray to God
That He'll forgive you too.
I'm tired and I'm hungry.
I'm lonely and I'm cold.
I'm the unknown soldier
who has been bought and sold.
If you would look around you
you would see my face
That man standing next to you
Could be here in my place.
I'm the unknown soldier
The one for whom you cried
I'm the one that you can't face
The one they told you died.
We fought that war together
At Mu Gia and Pleiku
Had YOU been the one we left
I WOULD have come for you.
I want to lie down beside you
I want to die in your arms.
I just want you to hold me
And help me to hang on.
I'm the unknown soldier
The one you threw away
Some call me POW
Some call me MIA.."
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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WeAz
Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004
Posts: 1519
Location: Where you aren't
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| Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:59 pm |
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| 4evajaneway wrote: | | During the dedication of the World War II monument today, my dad started crying, when I asked him why, all he said was "I'm glad they take the time to honor fallen soldiers now, because I remember comming home from Vietnom with two canes, after being shot in the chest and seeing my best friend killed, and all the people did, was spit at me and scream 'BABY KILLER' at the top of their lungs, because thats all I was, a baby killer." |
thats sad  he deserves better
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At Least In Vietnam, Bush Had An Exit Strategy
It was Bush, not Clinton, who ignored the warning signs for 9/11.
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