What Memorial Day Is All About

Memorial Day is May 31, 2010

It seems every year when Memorial Day rolls around people plan family outings, picnics, vacations and in general having a good time. How many know what Memorial Day is all about. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. There are 124,900 men & women buried in cemetaries around the world who died that we may enjoy the freedom we now enjoy and countless more who died as a result of injuries suffered while serving.  Such as my father who died at the young age of 54 due to injuries suffered in France.

This poem was written by a Canadian doctor shortly after World War 1 which best exemplifies to me that we should not forget what this day is all about.  Please read it slowly thinking about what it really means.

 Flanders Fields   

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army