Memorial Day...

Bless all of those who have gone before us.

Give them the peace they have rightly earned.

May their journey be painless, 

their passing swift. 

Let those left behind remember...

always. 

Memorial Day...

It's Memorial Day here in the US and along with marking the start of summer it's also a time to stop and thank all of those that have fought and given their lives for our country.


From History.com ~

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. 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 or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.




The first picture is of The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. I remember going there when I was about 10 and instinctively knew that it was a special, sacred place. The next two pictures are from Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, California. A beautiful and serene place. Walking through Fort Rosecrans gives a person a sense of peace and thankfulness.

Thank you to all of the service members who have died and those still serving as well as their families, for the sacrifices they have made for their country.

MEMORIAL DAY...

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Thank you to all who have served and given their lives. You are not forgotten.

A Brief History of Memorial Day (from PBS.ORG)

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers.

During the first national celebration, 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 who were buried there. This event was inspired by local observances of the day that had taken place in several towns throughout America in the three years since the Civil War. By the late 1800s, many more cities and communities had begun to observe Memorial Day, and after World War I, it became a occasion for honoring those who had died in all America’s wars.

Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. Several southern states, however, have an additional, separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas; April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 in Louisiana and Tennessee.