This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.
Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. [I didn't know that!]
Another tradition is to fly the stars and stripes at half-staff from dawn until noon. [Didn't know that either!]
We celebrated a bit early this year because Matt won a contest sponsored by the VFW Organization for an essay he wrote called "The Voice of Democracy."
We all gathered at the high school flag pole at 7:00am for a short presentation....
Very nice way to start our Memorial Day (um...Decoration Day?) weekend!
By the way, have you ever wondered why the veterans give out these little poppies?
Well it's all because of this poem written by a veteran about the battlegrounds of the World War I
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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