The origins of Memorial Day

AtLast · 05-27-2011, 04:26 PM

Thanks Kobi for the historical run-down. Yes, the 3-day weekends, BBQ' and all do take us away from why and how holidays are brought to us. Yesterday while I was out doing some work in my front yard, I chatted with a few school kids walking home about Memorial Day. Not one of them knew that it had a thing to do with military service at all! WTF?? These were middle school kids. Not exactly a scientific study, but I was amazed.

princessbelle · 05-27-2011, 04:39 PM

I've always known it as "Decoration Day" as well. My brother is burried in a Veteran's Cemetary and they put little flags on all the graves. It is quite the scene with the white tombstones all in a row and hundreds of little U.S. flags. Very humbling and honorable.

My mom just left to go to Kentucky for the weekend as she has done every year from as far back as i can remember. She and my aunts go buy a bunch of flowers and decorate all my kin-folks graves, military or not. I remember my ex who was from Minnesota had never heard it called "Decoration Day" and thought it was weird that "we" decorated all the graves. I suppose it is cultural and depends on where you are from like a lot of things.

But, bottom line...it is a remembrance. An opportunity to take a little time at the tomb/grave of a loved one, no matter why or how they died. And just as it brings in the fresh, new summer months, it offers up new beginnings as we honor our past.

Martina · 05-27-2011, 07:43 PM

My family are from Kentucky, and we take flowers to relatives' graves on Memorial Day, whether they were military or not.

Thank you so much, Kobi, for that history. i had no idea. i have been reading some of the articles that have been written because of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The NY Times has been doing a series, and Time Magazine had a wonderful article a month or so ago about how our understanding of the war, particularly its causes, has been fashioned by ideology and politics over the years.

This information is powerful because it shows how allied freed slaves were with the Union side. Part of the conservative refashioning of the public memory is that Gone With the Wind narrative of the slaves staying with their former Masters, feeling as if they were better off with them than at the mercy of northerners who would exploit them.

i love knowing that this is another tradition added to the common culture by African Americans. And it's something to see how that has been erased.

StillettoDoll · 05-27-2011, 08:12 PM

We recently visited the world war II museum in New Orleans . So this year, I feel real patriotism and a much great appreciation for all the service people that died . It's nice to have a time to honor those.

The museum there is amazing.

Kobi · 05-27-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martina

My family are from Kentucky, and we take flowers to relatives' graves on Memorial Day, whether they were military or not.

Thank you so much, Kobi, for that history. i had no idea. i have been reading some of the articles that have been written because of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The NY Times has been doing a series, and Time Magazine had a wonderful article a month or so ago about how our understanding of the war, particularly its causes, has been fashioned by ideology and politics over the years.

This information is powerful because it shows how allied freed slaves were with the Union side. Part of the conservative refashioning of the public memory is that Gone With the Wind narrative of the slaves staying with their former Masters, feeling as if they were better off with them than at the mercy of northerners who would exploit them.

i love knowing that this is another tradition added to the common culture by African Americans. And it's something to see how that has been erased.

When I first read that article, I said wow, what an interesting piece of history that was forgotten. And it is.

Then I read it again. And I found myself marveling at the assumptions inherent in it and wondering if the conclusions were the result of someone asking these persons why they did what they did or if we just presumed thru our "white" view of life why they did it.

It doesnt diminsh what was done or the tradition it started. But it would be nice to know the history from the perspective of the people who lived it.

AtLast · 05-27-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kobi

When I first read that article, I said wow, what an interesting piece of history that was forgotten. And it is.

Then I read it again. And I found myself marveling at the assumptions inherent in it and wondering if the conclusions were the result of someone asking these persons why they did what they did or if we just presumed thru our "white" view of life why they did it.

It doesnt diminsh what was done or the tradition it started. But it would be nice to know the history from the perspective of the people who lived it.

Certainly would be- you are on to something here- an assumptive white view. Some historians bring this out. Thanks again.

Toughy · 05-27-2011, 09:32 PM

thanks Kobi for starting this thread.

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

<snip>
In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.
<snip>
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform.

Petition powered by ThePetitionSite.com
To date, there has been no further developments on the bill. Please write your Representative and your Senators, urging them to support these bills. You can also contact Mr. Inouye to let him know of your support.

Visit our Help Restore the Traditional Day of Observance page for more information on this issue, and for more ways you can help.

To see what day Memorial Day falls on for the next 10 years, visit the Memorial Day Calendar page.

and

http://www.vfw.org/Community/Buddy-Poppy/

when I was a kid, there were always 'old folks' (probably the same age I am now) outside the grocery store, the courthouse, any place people gathered with poppies for a donation during the 3 day weekend.

take a moment sometime during the weekend remember and our sisters and brothers in arms who gave their lives.

Kobi · 05-28-2011, 11:12 AM

*bump* just cuz

Camo Eagle · 05-28-2011, 08:25 PM

Thanks for the info & edu.

I didnt realize it pre dated WW1.
I grew up mainly in VA, so I should have known that.

PB, Ive nev heard it called "Decoration Day", but I can see why it would be.

Living in SA Military stuff is on every corner. Its nicknamed "Military City USA" for a reason. The most troops, bases, posts, commands, of any state. Now we are also once again "Home of Military Medicine" as well.

We just had Military Week, a lil while ago. Here Memorial Day, its activities, and events is a big deal. We have many State & National cemeteries. As a Mil person its usually a busy day trying to get to all the things I need to attend.

My fav is to do the flag distribution. This yr it was with a grp of AF Jr. ROTC kids. There were lg amts of school grps as well. Its always interesting to hear the comments and questions from the civilian kids and their families.
There is a big tradition here to cover ea grave. Also done with wreaths at Christmas.
One elementary school had raised the money to put a red carnation at every headstone in a cemetary at Ft. Sam Houston. One little girl cried bc they didnt have enough. So she said next yr they would work harder to raise more money.
I told her that Im sure the Soldiers understood, and that it was OK. I was touched.

05-27-2011, 04:39 PM	#2
princessbelle Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: femme ones Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,100 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,380 Thanked 30,496 Times in 5,198 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	I've always known it as "Decoration Day" as well. My brother is burried in a Veteran's Cemetary and they put little flags on all the graves. It is quite the scene with the white tombstones all in a row and hundreds of little U.S. flags. Very humbling and honorable. My mom just left to go to Kentucky for the weekend as she has done every year from as far back as i can remember. She and my aunts go buy a bunch of flowers and decorate all my kin-folks graves, military or not. I remember my ex who was from Minnesota had never heard it called "Decoration Day" and thought it was weird that "we" decorated all the graves. I suppose it is cultural and depends on where you are from like a lot of things. But, bottom line...it is a remembrance. An opportunity to take a little time at the tomb/grave of a loved one, no matter why or how they died. And just as it brings in the fresh, new summer months, it offers up new beginnings as we honor our past. __________________ ~ I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~ Maya Angelou

05-27-2011, 08:12 PM	#4
StillettoDoll Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Lady Relationship Status: single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,824 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,779 Thanked 3,851 Times in 1,469 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Happy Memorial Day We recently visited the world war II museum in New Orleans . So this year, I feel real patriotism and a much great appreciation for all the service people that died . It's nice to have a time to honor those. The museum there is amazing. __________________

05-28-2011, 11:12 AM	#8
Kobi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Biological female. Lesbian. Relationship Status: Happy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hanging out in the Atlantic. Posts: 9,234 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,840 Thanked 34,617 Times in 7,640 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	bump just cuz __________________

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05-27-2011, 04:26 PM	#1
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Thanks Kobi for the historical run-down. Yes, the 3-day weekends, BBQ' and all do take us away from why and how holidays are brought to us. Yesterday while I was out doing some work in my front yard, I chatted with a few school kids walking home about Memorial Day. Not one of them knew that it had a thing to do with military service at all! WTF?? These were middle school kids. Not exactly a scientific study, but I was amazed.

05-27-2011, 07:43 PM	#3
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,283 Times in 4,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	My family are from Kentucky, and we take flowers to relatives' graves on Memorial Day, whether they were military or not. Thank you so much, Kobi, for that history. i had no idea. i have been reading some of the articles that have been written because of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The NY Times has been doing a series, and Time Magazine had a wonderful article a month or so ago about how our understanding of the war, particularly its causes, has been fashioned by ideology and politics over the years. This information is powerful because it shows how allied freed slaves were with the Union side. Part of the conservative refashioning of the public memory is that Gone With the Wind narrative of the slaves staying with their former Masters, feeling as if they were better off with them than at the mercy of northerners who would exploit them. i love knowing that this is another tradition added to the common culture by African Americans. And it's something to see how that has been erased.

05-27-2011, 09:32 PM	#7
Toughy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: pervert butch feminist woman Preferred Pronoun?: see above Relationship Status: independent entity Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oakland Posts: 1,826 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,068 Thanked 7,654 Times in 1,523 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	thanks Kobi for starting this thread. http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html <snip> In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem: We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies. She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it. <snip> To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps." The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country. But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day." On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform. Petition powered by ThePetitionSite.com To date, there has been no further developments on the bill. Please write your Representative and your Senators, urging them to support these bills. You can also contact Mr. Inouye to let him know of your support. Visit our Help Restore the Traditional Day of Observance page for more information on this issue, and for more ways you can help. To see what day Memorial Day falls on for the next 10 years, visit the Memorial Day Calendar page. and http://www.vfw.org/Community/Buddy-Poppy/ when I was a kid, there were always 'old folks' (probably the same age I am now) outside the grocery store, the courthouse, any place people gathered with poppies for a donation during the 3 day weekend. take a moment sometime during the weekend remember and our sisters and brothers in arms who gave their lives.

05-28-2011, 08:25 PM	#9
Camo Eagle Member How Do You Identify?: FTM in these communities. Male in everyday & public life. Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 241 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 268 Thanked 328 Times in 152 Posts Rep Power: 2982903	Thanks for the info & edu. I didnt realize it pre dated WW1. I grew up mainly in VA, so I should have known that. PB, Ive nev heard it called "Decoration Day", but I can see why it would be. Living in SA Military stuff is on every corner. Its nicknamed "Military City USA" for a reason. The most troops, bases, posts, commands, of any state. Now we are also once again "Home of Military Medicine" as well. We just had Military Week, a lil while ago. Here Memorial Day, its activities, and events is a big deal. We have many State & National cemeteries. As a Mil person its usually a busy day trying to get to all the things I need to attend. My fav is to do the flag distribution. This yr it was with a grp of AF Jr. ROTC kids. There were lg amts of school grps as well. Its always interesting to hear the comments and questions from the civilian kids and their families. There is a big tradition here to cover ea grave. Also done with wreaths at Christmas. One elementary school had raised the money to put a red carnation at every headstone in a cemetary at Ft. Sam Houston. One little girl cried bc they didnt have enough. So she said next yr they would work harder to raise more money. I told her that Im sure the Soldiers understood, and that it was OK. I was touched.