Memorial Day

For some, Memorial Day weekend has already begun.  Although some employees don’t get a holiday on Memorial Day, most of us will take it on Monday, May 26.  While it’s nice to have a day off, it’s important to remember the purpose of the holiday we’re taking.  Traditionally, Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have given their lives for our country, which seems particularly appropriate this year.

What we call Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day and began around the time the Civil War came to an end.  Women in the North and South began decorating the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers with flowers, irrespective of which side of the war the dead soldiers had fought on.  Today, in that tradition, geraniums (and other flowers) together with tiny American flags are scattered throughout cemeteries across the country. 

When Horace Greeley learned of the almost spontaneous, unifying Civil War grave decoration, he wrote a tribute in his newspaper.  His tribute began to inspire verse about the war, those who had died, and this day to remember them.

One of the first poems was written by Francis Finch and published in the Atlantic Monthly.  It’s called “The Blue and the Gray,” and I offer it to help all of us remember.

“Sadly, but not without upbraiding, The generous deed was done: In the storm of the years that are fading, No braver battle was won: Under the sod and dew, Waiting the judgement day; Under the blossoms the blue, Under the garlands the gray.”

1. 

   Jim Stroup says:

   May 23, 2008 at 11:00 am

   Thank you for this thoughtful, informative, and moving post.
2. 

   John Phillips says:

   May 23, 2008 at 11:46 am

   I appreciate that, Jim.