It’s about that time again. A time where Americans are meant to come together and honor those who gave their all.
It’s a time for somber remembrance of the loved one who died in the service of our nation. Memorial Day is not about division; it is about reconciliation. Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decloration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. This day eventually led to what’s known now as Memorial Day.
When America was trying to recover from the Civil War, nearly every family in this country felt the direct loss. Imagine a country one fourth the size it is now and then imagine nearly 700 THOUSAND casualties. On those first few memorial days, I’m pretty sure they didn’t celebrate with hot dogs and three day weekends and a sale on video games.
You almost never hear the words Memorial Day anymore unless they’re followed by the word “Sale”.
We, as Americans, need to remember what this one day is all about. It’s sad to think that many of us have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. Cemeteries are ignored, flag etiquette is forgotten, and our passions for this great country is diminishing. We have to remember that this day is not just for honoring any and all dead, but it’s for those brave soldiers that have fallen in service for our country.
In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
This poem captures the essence of what Memorial Day is all about. Moina Michael was the first person to wear red poppies in honor of those who died serving the nation during war, but she is not the last.
Just remember that this next Monday of May is just not a three day weekend. It’s a day that should be spent in remembrance to those who have fallen for you and your country. Without these soldiers our lives would be completely different, including our Medicare policies. So, once you’ve spent your Monday honoring our soldiers, come and spend Tuesday with us here at MedicareMall. We would be honored to show you the best Medigap plan that will work for you.
Honor Our Fallen Soldiers © 2012 MedicareMall.com