It is funny/sad that sometimes we forget what it was we were supposed to be remembering on a day called Memorial Day. Every day in my e-mail box I get a little tiny bit of American History from a man named Bill Federer, in the form of an "American Minute". So rather than try to paraphrase down his answer to that question, which is already both concise and eloquent, I'm just going to quote it. If you want to receive these little history nuggets, you can go to www.americanminute.com.
American Minute with Bill Federer
May 30
Southern women scattered spring flowers on the graves of both the
Northern and Southern soldiers who died during the Civil War.
This was the origin of Memorial Day, which in 1868 was set on MAY 30.
In 1968, it was moved to the last Monday in May.
From the Spanish-American War, to World Wars I and II, Korea,
Vietnam, Desert Storm, War against Islamic Terror, up through the
present, all who gave their lives to preserve America's freedom are
honored on Memorial Day.
Beginning in 1921, the tradition has been for Presidents to lay a
wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year.
The number 21 being the highest salute, the sentry takes 21 steps,
faces the tomb for 21 seconds, turns and pauses 21 seconds, then
retraces his steps.
Inscribed on the Tomb is the phrase:
"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD."
In his 1923 Memorial Address, President Calvin Coolidge stated:
"There can be no peace with the forces of evil. Peace comes only
through the establishment of the supremacy of the forces of good.
That way lies through sacrifice...'Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'"
1 comment:
I was picking up groceries at Shop n' Save yesterday and the decorated cookie cakes were discounted! Hooray! It was a little picked over and one of the remaining cakes said "Happy Birthday America". Fail.
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