The first Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day as it was created three years after the end of the Civil War. This special day was established to honor the military who lost their lives. On Decoration Day the nation visited the graves of the war dead and decorated them with flowers.
Halt of the Grenadiers Rochambeau in Union Square New York.
"Decoration day" May 30, 1884
The date of May 30th 1868 was chosen as it was not the date of any famous battles and there would be an bundance of flowers blooming at that time. Waterloo, New York and Boalsburg, Pennsylvania were two cities to to host a Decoration Day in 1868.
Parade Main Street 1868
Members of the Grand Army of the Republic
gather in formation for Waterloo’s Decoration Day parade.
An American tradition was born when Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and Elizabeth Myers decorated the graves of Civil War soldiers in the Boalsburg Cemetery in Harris Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.
In 1971 Memorial Day became an official holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. This video explains the meaning and traditions of how a military person is honored it was created by Karen Vogan Memorial Day 2012 titled:Honoring the FallenKaren Vogan
In Aug 5, 2011 Jdremy created this Memorial Day video to the music of "Hymn to the Fallen" by John Williams. In honor of the soldiers who give us the freedoms we have today. American Cemeteries around the world and the number of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Support the troops.
Trace Adkins created this video in 2010 titled Till The Last Shots Fired No matter what , An ultimate price has to be paid .If it wasn't for the men and women in the armed forces you could only imagine were we would be ..
This is another moving video titled:
If You're Reading This by Tim McGraw
It is my hope that Americans will find time during this three day Memorial weekend to reflect on the true meaning of this day, maybe visit a National Cemetery in your area and say a prayer for those men and women who fight to keep the United States a free country everyday.
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