Saturday, May 28, 2011

Decoration Day


Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States began as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the civil war, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not.

On Memorial Day the flag 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.


The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m.


Charles Ives classic Decoration Day Symphony.

However you celebrate Memorial Day, have a safe and Happy Holiday.

17 comments:

  1. hi mary and duke...it's me..i am at my sister-in-laws on her computer....i wanted to try and get to some of my best friends...like you !!!!

    oh, this computer virus has turned my world upside down. i know julie got a message to you. i should be back up next week sometime. i miss you and send love,
    kary and teddy
    xxx

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  2. Hi Mary,

    Oh my goodness, "Decoration Day", that is what we called the holiday back home. I love small town, everyone knows you, big celebrations for all the holidays, life. I miss that so much. Thank you for the walk down memory lane - I don't want to come back. (o:

    Hugs. Happy Decoration Day.

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  3. I guess this is like our Day of Remembrance in Europe, or Red Poppy Day as it is known in the UK. I think this day is very important wether you believe in war or not there are millions who died for our freedoms and we should remember them. Much love. Dom x

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  4. This is a beautiful Memorial Day Tribute. It was good hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by.
    Cheers,
    Shanae

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  5. that is a wonderful tribute to our fallen soldiers. we will spend tomorrow with family at a cookout but first we will visit the graves of family to put flowers on.
    wishing you a safe day.

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  6. What a wonderful post Mary! Memorial Day means a lot more than a kick off for summer. I will be remembering my father this weekend for sure.

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  7. Hello Mary:
    This is a most fitting tribute to those men and women who have given their lives that we may live in freedom. In the UK, Remembrance Sunday as it is called is held in November to coincide with the cessation of armed conflict at the end of the First World War. In whatever country at whatever point in the year, it is important to remember them......lest we forget.

    We have read through some previous posts with interest. Such a lively and eclectic mixture. We have very much enjoyed ourselves.

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  8. Hi Mary
    Wonderful post!
    This year is he sesquicentennial of the Civil War nnd our historic cemetery in Brooklyn is having special remembrances to honor that fact. I wrote about it in my Memorial Day post.

    Thanks for your compliments about my photo collages - I use the Googl ePicasa program to make them. It is fairly easy to do!

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  9. I hope you are having a good weekend. In Canada we celebrate this day of recognition for those who have given their lives for their country on November 11 and call it Remembrance Day.

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  10. What nice post, Mary. So true ... remembering those who have protected our freedoms and given their lives doing it deserve our respect and remembrance. The small hometown parade and prayers and wreaths laid at our local cemetery and at our veterans momument are always solemn ... and then the kids parade back to our green on their bikes ... all decorated with red, white, and blue streamers and cards clipped to the spokes ... they bring the joy back to the day!

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  11. I like decoration day. We have the hugest flag I have ever seen hanging from our town hall. They just put it up this weekend. Makes me smile whenever I drive by it.

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  12. Bonito tributo a los soldados caídos...
    I Like your blog!! I follow you now...
    Look at my blog and if you like can follow me.
    Besos, desde España, Marcela( teacher the Bellas Artes)

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  13. Lovely post!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  14. Hope you had a lovely Memorial Weekend.

    Maria
    x

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  15. I saw your comment on Urban Cottage about white roses: have you seen Margaret Merril? my favorite white rose by far, tea rose form but floribunda habit, and with a delicious scent, leaves Iceberg for dead...

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  16. Thank you for stopping by and even becoming a follower. How very sweet of you!

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I'm thrilled you've stopped by and I always enjoy your comments! Thank you!