How To Observe Memorial Day

by Chester Wisnesky, Department Commander

"... gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime... let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,- the soldier's and sailors widow and orphan."
General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

• by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
• by visiting memorials.
• by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
• by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
• by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

Memorandum on the White House Program for the National Moment of Remembrance

From: William J. Clinton
May 2, 2000

As Memorial Day approaches, it is time to pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died while defending our Nation and its values. While we should honor these heros every day for the profound contribution they have made to securing our Nation's freedom, we should honor them especially on Memorial Day.

In this time of unprecedented success and prosperity throughout our land, I ask that all Americans come together to recognize how fortunate we are to live in freedom and to observe a universal "National Moment of Remembrance" on each Memorial Day. This memorial observance represents a simple and unifying way to commemorate our history and honor the struggle to protect our freedoms...

"Taps" (Note: there are no "official" words to Taps, below are the most popular.)

Day is done, gone the sun, from the hills,
from the lake, from the from the skies.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep, May the soldier or the sailor God keep.
On the land or in the deep, safe in sleep.

Love, good night, must tho go, when the day, and the night need the so?
All is well, speedeth all to their rest.

Fades the light, and afar goeth the day, and the stars shineth bright, fare thee well,
day has gone, night is on.

Thanks and praise, for our days, 'neath the sun, 'neath the stars, 'neath the sky,
as we go, this we know, God is nigh.........

Click here for information about the origin of Taps or Memorial Day.

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