Memorial Day

sketch by Alexis Kelsch                   

As Memorial Day approaches I always think of it as the end of the school year and the beginning of the summer season.  We find ourselves barbecuing in our back yards and picnicking with our families and friends enjoying the warm weather.  
Do we really remember what Memorial Day is all about? Unfortunately, many of us fail to remember what an important day this is.

Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in service of our country. 

Do we spare a second to say a silent prayer of thank you for all those people who are fighting to make our lives better in our country today and to all those veterans who have fought in the past to preserve our freedom?  

I think it is important to remember Memorial Day and what it stands for and means.  It is about coming together to honor those who gave it their all.

It is held on the last Monday in May and it is celebrated with parades, flag waving, speeches and handing out memorials.

Do you know where the poppies originated?  It was 1915, Ms. Moina Michael inspired by the original poem “In Flanders Fields” wrote 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.”

Ms Michaels conceived the idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during the war. She was the first one to wear one, and began selling poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money benefiting the men in need.  


Madam Guein from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michaels and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war-orphaned children and widowed women.  


I believe the story goes that the VFW became the first veteran’s organization to nationally sell the poppies.  In 1948, the US Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red three cent stamp with her likeness on it.

Now when I see the red poppies I do buy one and remember the wonderful woman who made Memorial Day for remembering because not only does a country lose one of it’s own but a woman may lose her child or husband.

Let us not forget all the Men and Women serving our country. 

Here is a fitting quote for Memorial Day by Elizabeth Barrett Browning ~

"And each man stand with his face in the light of his own drawn sword.  Ready to do what a hero can."