7 Meaningful Ways to Remember Memorial Day
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Memorial Day is more than the unofficial beginning of summer. It is a day of remembrance - a time to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. From displaying the flag to pausing for the National Moment of Remembrance, visiting cemeteries, wearing red poppies, and learning the history of Decoration Day, these simple Memorial Day traditions help us remember with gratitude.
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While many of us gather with family and friends over Memorial Day weekend, the heart of the holiday is remembrance. These meaningful ways to observe Memorial Day are simple, thoughtful reminders of the sacrifice behind the freedom we enjoy.
Remembering Decoration Day
By 1882, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was one of America's most beloved poets, known for works like "Paul Revere's Ride." But his lesser-known poem "Decoration Day" is especially poignant for Memorial Day.
First published in The Atlantic in June 1882, the poem honored what was then a relatively new civic observance: a day set aside to decorate the graves of those who died in the Civil War with flowers and flags.
The poem "pays tribute to what was then a new form of civic observance: a day set aside to commemorate those who had perished in the Civil War by placing flags and flowers on soldiers' graves, a custom that gradually gave rise to our modern Memorial Day honoring all who give their lives in military service" (The Atlantic).
A few weeks before the poem's debut, Longfellow died at his home in Cambridge at 75.
Decoration Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
On this Field of the Grounded Arms,
Where foes no more molest,
Nor sentry's shot alarms!
Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon's sudden roar,
Or the drum's redoubling beat.
But in this camp of Death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.
All is repose and peace,
Untrampled lies the sod;
The shouts of battle cease,
It is the Truce of God!
Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!
The thoughts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.
Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.
When Decoration Day Became Memorial Day
The first official Decoration Day, later known as Memorial Day, was held on May 30, 1868. General James A. Garfield, who would later become president, gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. Afterward, thousands of participants helped decorate the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there with flowers, wreaths, and flags.
[su_quote]"We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue." - James A. Garfield May 30, 1868 Arlington National Cemetery[/su_quote]
Decoration Day events were held in 183 cemeteries in 27 states in 1868, and 336 in 1869.
By the late 19th century, communities across America began observing Decoration Day. Following World War I, observers began decorating the graves of all veterans of America's wars. It wasn't until 1971 that Congress declared Memorial Day as a national holiday to be observed the last Monday in May.
Other observances: The long-cherished Memorial Day tradition of wearing red poppies got its start in 1915.
Read More: Poppies of Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Not until after World War II did "Decoration Day" become the more common "Memorial Day." In 1967, it became the official name by Federal law.
Today, traditional Memorial Day rites have dwindled in many communities, with many people preferring to remember Memorial Day as the first day of summer.
Celebrations remain strong, however, at Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 service members and their families are laid to rest.
7 Meaningful Ways to Remember Memorial Day
1. Display the Flag
On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag is traditionally displayed at half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff until sunset. Americans may also honor prisoners of war and those missing in action by flying the POW/MIA flag.
2. Visit and Decorate Gravesites
Visit the gravesites of family members, ancestors, or service members, decorating them with flowers and flags in remembrance.
If you are researching family gravesites, Find a Grave can be a helpful resource. If an ancestor's gravesite is not listed, consider adding a photo or record so future generations can find it.
3. Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance
At 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, Americans are encouraged to pause for a moment of silence to remember and honor those who died in service to our country.
4. Visit Local Veterans' Homes and Hospitals
Memorial Day is a meaningful time to remember veterans living in assisted living homes, hospitals, and care facilities. A visit, note, or simple word of thanks can be a thoughtful gesture.
5. Attend a Memorial Day Parade
Memorial Day parades are a time-honored tradition in cities and towns across America. Neighbors gather to remember with gratitude those who sacrificed so much for our country.
6. Brush Up on Family and American History
Memorial Day is a fitting time to read family history, look through old photographs, and learn about ancestors who served. It's also a meaningful occasion to revisit historic speeches, letters, and documents that help tell America's story.
7. Wear Memorial Day Poppies
The tradition of wearing red poppies was inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae. The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance and a way to honor those who gave their lives in military service.
Read More: Memorial Day Poppies
More Memorial Day Reflections
For more on the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day, you may also enjoy these reflections:
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Thank you for this meaningful tribute to our freedom and those who have preserved it.
Could we list ten things those service member did so we could continue to live as we do?