Memorial Day USA

Today is Memorial Day in the US where they commemorate the service of veterans from all the wars they have fought.
Subsequent to World War 1 and associated with the burial of an “Unknown Soldier” in Arlington Cemetry, 11 November became known as Armistice Day , as it was every where else in the world, and recognized the war dead from WW1. The day later become known as Veterans Day and the day when the US commemorates their war dead from all conflicts. Fifty years earlier, in 1868, Union General John A. Logan designated a day in which the graves of Civil War soldiers would be decorated. First known as Decoaration Day it was changed to Memorial Day some 20 years later. 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.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. So, like Australia, there are two days on the US National calendar devoted to war dead. Tomorrow, Memorial Day, is one of them and the day when they wear poppies. To all Americans, there are many in Australia who recognize your service to the world and pause with you to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice. You Defence Forces are under seige now from the terrorists in many parts of the world and from your own Media but stay the distance and the world will be a better place. Mudville Gazette has a post on the subject and quotes a poem written last Christmas in Baghdad.

Saluting fallen friends whose names And youth will never fade Here’s to those on other shores, for them live well, the price is paid

Have a good day.