This coming weekend, here in America, we are celebrating Memorial Day. This holiday is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of summer with many enjoying cookouts, backyard barbecues, camping and get-togethers.
Memorial Day
By the late 1860’s, after the Civil War, in cities and towns across America, people began honoring the fallen soldiers and paying tribute to them.
The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.
Decoration Day
General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance for fallen soldiers. General Logan proclaimed, “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 city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land”.
Thousands of Scouts and youth organizations across the country will be participating in ceremonies and placing U.S. flags in veterans cemeteries. This is just a small section of the cemetery where my parents are interred and we don’t miss visiting each Memorial Day to take in the beautiful sight and pay homage to each soldier and their spouse.
Celebrating Memorial Day today
Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers and pause to pray with thankfulness for their sacrifice.
Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations.
On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day
Honoring our Veterans
As part of your holiday celebration, download and print out these Memorial Day printables. There is a coloring page, a patriotic word search and a page to write a letter of thanks to encourage someone you know that served in the military. Set out some markers and crayons and let the kids work on the pages.
FREE Memorial Day printables
Get your FREE – Memorial Day Printable!
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A visit to the US Marine Corps War Memorial Iwo Jima in Washington, DC
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Thank you for this enlightened patriotic newsletter. I too have been absorbing God’s beauty: trees, birds, flowers, and insects.
I am so looking forward to Memorial Day and making those “brownie truffles!” Also, thank you for the printable…my grandkids are going to enjoy coloring!!
Thank you,
Debret
Thank you for another beautiful Newsletter! I love the patriotic theme. The recipes, crafts, free printables, beautiful pictures, and history that you shared are all wonderful! Thank you so much! Your words are always so uplifting and such a blessing to me. God bless you and your family.
Hello Pam,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for subscribing to our newsletter! I really appreciate the time you give to sent your comments and strive to make each newsletter interesting and packed full of current and useful posts.
Hope you have a great week ahead!
Kindly, Lorraine
A lovely and interesting post. I like that you combine the sadness with celebration, an affirmation of life.
Amalia
xo