I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.
John 14:27 CEV
On May 30, 1868 a procession of children from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home, along with members of the Grand Army of the Republic, made their way through Arlington National Cemetery placing flowers on more than 20,000 Union and Confederate graves. They recited prayers and sang hymns. It was three years since the Civil War had ended and the nation had not forgotten. Local tributes to the Civil War dead had already been held in various locations throughout the nation. In April of 1866, a group of women in Columbus, Miss., visited the Shiloh battlegrounds to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had died in battle. Nearby lay the stark, unattended graves of enemy Union Soldiers. Feeling empathy for those buried so far from home, the women decided to decorate their graves as well.
John A. Logan, General of the Grand Army of the Republic, was the organizer of what would come to be called, Decoration Day and later Memorial Day. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No.11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
By the late 1800's many communities across the country had begun to honor the war dead in similar fashion. With the passage of the First and Second World Wars the tradition continued.
The Army and Navy also adopted regulations for proper observance for the Armed Forces. In 1882, the name Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day and in 1971, Memorial Day was finally declared a national holiday by an act of Congress. It was determined that the last Monday in May would be set aside for national observance.
In 1918, Ms Moina Michael, a volunteer war worker with the YMCA, was inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John Mcrae. After reading the poem in theLadies Home Journal she felt a deep spiritual connection with those who died in battle and conceived the idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day. She began a tireless campaign to have the poppy recognized as a national memorial symbol. On August 18, 1920 she discovered by chance that the Georgia Department of the American Legion was to convene in two days' time in Atlanta. She searched out the delegates in Atlanta prior to the convention and the Navy representative promised to present her case for the Memorial Poppy to the Convention. The Georgia Convention subsequently adopted the poppy. The Convention also agreed to endorse the movement to have the poppy adopted by the National American Legion and on September 29, 1920 the Legion agreed to make the poppy its national emblem of remembrance.
In the U.S., Memorial Day has evolved into a holiday weekend to welcome the advent of summer. Although many of us will be sharing Memorial Day with family and friends at barbecues, ball games and other events, let us not forget the heroic men and women who have given their lives for this nation. Let us also unite, regardless of political views, to prayerfully remember those currently overseas serving their country.
www.americanbible.org
Want more on Memorial Day?
Lest We Forget
Prayer for Peace
What We Tend to Forget
In Flanders Fields
The Memorial Day Poppy