We remember those who served for our country, sometimes fighting for the freedom of other countries. Most of all, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Never forget, Freedom is not Free.
1. Why we observe Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who have died serving our country.
2. It started with the Civil War
Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which some 620,000 soldiers on both sides died.
3. It was first known as Decoration Day
From the practice of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, the holiday was long known as Decoration Day. The name Memorial Day goes back to 1882, but the older name didn’t disappear until after World War II. Federal law declared “Memorial Day” the official name in 1967.
4. The playing of ‘Taps’
The 24-note bugle call, is played at all military funerals and memorial services.
5. Flying the Flag
It is customary on Memorial Day to fly the flag at half staff until noon, and then raise it to the top of the staff until sunset.
6. Flowers and Flags
These are the two most popular items people use to remember soldiers.
7. The last Monday of May
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May.
America’s Top 10 Deadliest Wars.
From Blackfive: The Gates of Heaven
What is Memorial Day really about? While we are busy gearing up for the weekend, I thought I should post this annual reminder about the holiday. It may surprise some of you.
If you are relatively new to Blackfive, you should read this story about a Memorial Day eleven years ago – Mathew Schram’s Memorial Day. And, unfortunately, we’ve posted many memorials to our Fallen Americans.
The words to “Taps” are:
Day Is Done,
Gone the Sun,
From the Earth,
From the Hill,
From the Sky,
All Is Well,
Safely Rest,
God Is NighWhen Taps is played at dusk, it has a completely different meaning than when Taps is played during the day. No soldier really wants to hear it played during daylight. For when the bugle plays Taps in the daylight…that means a soldier has fallen…There is a belief among some that Taps is the clarion call to open the gates of heaven for the fallen warrior and letting them know to “Safely Rest”…
Of course, Memorial Day is about remembering the sacrifices that our military men and women have made over the last 237 years. We are still a young nation, but one that has made many sacrifices to remain free. We should also take time to remember the families who have lost loved ones.
We have focused on just a few of the fallen over the last few years. I’ve lost good friends during the War on Terror. And I write about the others to ensure that we don’t forget their sacrifices – I do that for me as much as for anybody.
Click on the link to read the entire blog post.
AOMDA Honors War Vets Buried Overseas
There will be many Memorial Day observances here in the U.S. this weekend, but loved ones of service members buried abroad can rest assured their veterans will not be forgotten.
The American Overseas Memorial Day Association (AOMDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of those who gave their lives in World Wars I and II, whose final resting places are in American military cemeteries or separate graves all over Europe and even Africa…….
Memorial Day, the day to honor those who gave their lives for the freedom we all enjoy. We must protect our country so they did not die in vain.
While he was not an American, he was a great leader that sums it up…
You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. —Winston Churchill
Delusions of Adequacy 
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