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The Origins of Memorial Day
In 1868, Major General John A. Logan, a Civil War veteran from Illinois and head of the Grand Army of the Republic, established May 30 as a day to honor fallen war dead with flowers. General Logan stated that the graves should be decorated “with the choicest flowers of springtime." He stressed, “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
After World War I, this day of honor was expanded to include those men and women who have died in all American wars. In 1971, by an act of Congress, Memorial Day was established as a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday in May.
Season of Remembrance Begins - Photo by Kathleen T. Rhem. April 30, 2007, The gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery are graced by U.S. flags on Memorial Day. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army. |
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Arlington National Cemetery
Over 230,000 veterans and dependents are buried in this cemetery. Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, a presidential wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
For Those Left Behind - Photo by Spc. Nancy Van Der Weide,
May 05, 2008. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army. |
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The Flower of Remembrance
In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
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.
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The Story behind the Poppy
The poppy has become a symbol of sacrifice and is worn to honor those who have served and died for our country in all wars. |
The History Channel Exhibit on Memorial Day
This site from the History Channel gives the history of Memorial Day, along with a timeline of America's wars, battle maps, and images. Powerful videos tell the stories of veterans returning from World War II and the story of the Green Berets. "Did You Know?" gives data from the U.S. Census Bureau about those who served in World War II. |
White House Commission on Remembrance: Names of Our Fallen
Within this section of the White House Commission on Remembrance website you will be able to look through the names of the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
1950 - 1953: The Korean War
1959 - 1975: The Vietnam War
1983: Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)
1989 - 1991: Operation Just Cause (Panama)
1990 - 1991: The Gulf War
1993 - 1995: Operation Restore Hope (Somalia)
2001 - Present: Operation Enduring Freedom
2003 - Present: Operation Iraqi Freedom
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