Each year in America, we recognize Memorial Day. The name of the holiday itself is about remembering. It is a day to remember those who gave their lives for our nation in service.
Memorial Day originated in America after the civil war. Widows and daughters of Confederate soldiers gathered to decorate the graves of their loved ones who died in that terrible war. They referred to these gatherings as Decoration Day.
On May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, 5000 participants gathered for a memorial event organized by former Union general John Logan. After the ceremonies the attendees decorated over 20,000 graves of Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.
Ohio Congressman and future President James Garfield delivered a speech that included these words:
“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.”
First Official National Decoration Day, National Park Service, www.nps.gov/articles/first-official-national-decoration-day.htm
The grim reality of the supreme sacrifice hits home with grieving widows, children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and entire communities. Every single day of World War II, nearly 300 families received the dreaded telegram or knock at the door with the news.
In 1967, Carmella LaSpada, who worked for the White House, organized a USO tour to Southeast Asia. She met a wounded medic who had desperately tried in vain to save 35 fellow soldiers mortally wounded in battle in Vietnam. The medic gave her a black scarf and begged her, “Promise you will do something so that the men who died, and their families, will never be forgotten.” (https://nogreaterloveinc.com/about-us/)
Four years later she organized the No Greater Love foundation. Her tireless advocacy led to Congress passing “The National
Moment of Remembrance Act” signed into law in December 2000.
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”
Origins of Memorial Day,
US Department of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/memday.pdf
So, this Memorial Day, at 3:00 PM, stop where you are. If you are driving pull to the side of the road at a safe place. Step out of your car. If there is a flag flying nearby, stand at attention, face the flag, and put your hand over your heart.
Bow your head and ask God for His mercy on America and His comfort, especially to those who grieve the loss of a loved one in service to our nation. A flag draped coffin and a nation’s gratitude can never fully soothe the grief of those who will never see Johnny come marching home.
Your outward, visible, action means more than you realize. So, at 3:00 PM on Monday, make a difference and put memorial back in Memorial Day.