Memorial Day: Remember & Honour
Memorial Day, a US federal holiday, is the United States first and foremost day to honour and mourn its deceased service men and women. Originally known as ‘Decoration Day’, as during and following the Civil War, communities in the North and South, black and white, decorated soldier’s graves with floral honours on spring-time decoration days.
In 1868, Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan, formally recognised this practice by issuing a “Memorial Day Order” and ensured it was held in May so as to guarantee availability of “the choicest flowers of springtime” all over the country. Logan wanted to be certain that neither the present or future generations forgot “the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
“That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself.”
Brevet Lieut.-Col. Edmund B. Whitman, 1868
After the first World War, the day began to stand as a day to honour all of America’s fallen, from any conflict, and the modern proclamation calls on Americans “to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.”
I believe we should always take the time to remember the fallen. To offer them our prayers, our respect and our gratitude.
In a time when wars continue to rage around the world; US service men and women, alongside their many allies (including the Canadian services), still put their bodies and lives on the line for us on a daily basis. We should take a moment to pause, even on other nations’ days of remembrance, and thank them for their sacrifice, for their family’s sacrifice and to ask for peace.
Your silent tents of green We deck with fragrant flowers; Yours has the suffering been, The memory shall be ours excerpt from the poem Decoration Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
On days like this, it is also important to remember those who served but have not fallen. To those of you who will remember your brothers and sisters-in-arms on Memorial Day, we honour you too.
Many returning service men and women need support on their return; to rehabilitate from physical injury and mental trauma. If you or a family member needs help, please reach out to the following numbers:
For United States Veterans: Dial 988 then Press 1 is a new option for contacting the Veterans Crisis Line, the original number: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, remains available, and Veterans can continue to reach out via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or by text to 838255.
For Canadian Veterans: Call 1-800-268-7708 to speak to a mental health professional right now, or use the online chat to set up an appointment. A confidential and free service available 24/7 to Veterans, former RCMP members, their family members, and caregivers.
It is also possible to donate your time for Memorial Day or donate your money to those who support veterans and their families: US Department of Veterans Affairs or Donate to the Poppy Fund for Canada are just a couple of ways to do it.
To all Veterans, fallen and standing, I shall remember you today, tomorrow and always. I thank you for your service and sacrifice, for your bravery and strength and I hold you in my prayers for a permanent peace.
Best wishes
Note: For more history on Memorial Day, please visit Memorial Day history – National Cemetery Administration, they proved very helpful for this post.
