Memorial Day
As I remember back in my youth, we'd give change for red crepe paper poppies. I really didn't know why until I was older. I wonder how many children and young adults these days know what these flowers represent?
The wearing of red poppies began with Moina Michael in 1915. This was done in honor of those who lost their lives serving our nation during war. She also was inspired to write the following 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."
In 1922 the VFW (Veteran's of Foreign Wars) began selling the red paper poppies to fund disabled and needy vets. Due to the success of this program, it was registered as "Buddy Poppy" and today disabled and needy vets still make these flowers.
Veterans are the reason for today's Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day. The official date of proclamation for this day of remembrance was on 5/5/1868 by General John Logan. The first day of observance was 5/30/1868 when flowers were placed on Union and Confederate soldiers' grave sites at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Though Memorial Day is in observance of our fallen soldiers, it doensn't mean we can't honor our loved ones that are no longer with us-who didn't serve our country. No matter the form of remembrance, lets' be a nation to keep our traditions alive!
Happy Memorial Day from the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado.
The wearing of red poppies began with Moina Michael in 1915. This was done in honor of those who lost their lives serving our nation during war. She also was inspired to write the following 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."
In 1922 the VFW (Veteran's of Foreign Wars) began selling the red paper poppies to fund disabled and needy vets. Due to the success of this program, it was registered as "Buddy Poppy" and today disabled and needy vets still make these flowers.
Veterans are the reason for today's Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day. The official date of proclamation for this day of remembrance was on 5/5/1868 by General John Logan. The first day of observance was 5/30/1868 when flowers were placed on Union and Confederate soldiers' grave sites at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Though Memorial Day is in observance of our fallen soldiers, it doensn't mean we can't honor our loved ones that are no longer with us-who didn't serve our country. No matter the form of remembrance, lets' be a nation to keep our traditions alive!
Happy Memorial Day from the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado.
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