Memorial Day- Let Us Not Forget

The Flag at Arlington National Cemetery

Memorial Day has been recognized in the United States since 1866, when Henry Welles, from Waterloo, New York suggested store owners, like himself, close their shops for one day to honor local soldiers killed in the Civil War. 

Retired Major General Jonathan A. Logan had a similar idea in May of 1868.  He honored the dead and the soldiers who had survived the war.  Leading a procession of veterans through the town, General Logan went to the cemetery where they decorated the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers with flags.  This day was known as Decoration Day.

Retired Major General Logan proclaimed,

"The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country and during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

Following the Civil War, many cities in the North and South set a day to honor the soldiers and decorate their graves with flags and flowers.  Cities such as Waterloo, New York; Columbus, Mississippi; Richmond, Virginia; Carbondale, Illinois;  Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, and others initiated these early memorials.

In 1882, Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day honoring soldiers from previous wars also. 

In 1971, Richard Nixon declared Memorial Day, the last Monday in May a federal holiday.

The Thursday before Memorial Day there is a tradition known as "Flags-in."  At Arlington National Cemetery, the soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry place flags at more than 250,000 gravestones.  The gravestones and flags are patrolled for 24-hours a day to make sure each flag remains standing.  At 3:00 pm local time, all Americans are asked to pause in remembrance for a moment.

As part of our homeschooling adventures we were able to field trip to Washington D.C. this past year.  I stood in awe, in tears many times as I looked upon the memorials.  I am humbled by the service of our military.  To them I am forever grateful!

May you honor those who willingly served our country and fought for the cause of freedom.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Changing of the Guard- an humbling emotional experience

Arlington National Cemetery

 While in Washington D.C we were able to view an Honor Flight ceremony at the World War II Memorial.  According to statistics, approximately 1,000 World War II veterans are lost daily.  These veterans are Heroes!  I'm so glad there is an organization that gives them the honor due.

World War II Memorial

Looking into the faces of these heroes was an experience that is hard to describe in words.  I'm so grateful.

World War II Memorial

Honor Flight Ceremony

Vietnam War Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

Freedom Is Not Free

Korean War Memorial

Korean War Memorial

   

Korean War Memorial



Election Day!

Election Day. It's finally here. This has been one LONG race and the constant coverage has been interesting to say the least. There were times when I thought, really, "Is that relevant?" or other times when there was little reporting of a fact that I thought, "REALLY, That IS relevant!" Today we'll see how America votes.
The kids and I are reading a book about the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims came to America to escape religious persecution. They wanted to worship God freely separate from the State Church of England. Men had been hanged and threatened for such ideas. In fear of such treatment, friends and relatives argued with the early Separatists to abandon their beliefs. When William Bradford heard such pleading he replied calmly, "To keep a good conscience and walk in such Way as God had prescribed in his Word, is a thing which I must prefer before you all, and above life itself. Wherefore, since it is for a good Cause that I am likely to suffer the disasters which you lay before me, you have no cause to be either angry with me, or sorry for me. Yea, I am not only willng to part with everything that is dear to me in this world for this Cause but I am thankful that God hath given me heart so to do; and will accept me so to suffer for him."
This is the heart that our Country was founded on.
Many have departed from this ideal, but my heart stands strong. God has given me a heart to Stand for God, My Country, My Family.
After the failing of the Speedwell Dorothy Bradford was discouraged. William placed his arm around her shoulder and quoted the words of Master Brewster, "It is not with us as with other men whom small things can discourage, or small discontentments cause to wish themselves home again."
Our country faces a pivotal decision today. Despite what many may think it is not just the economy that is at stake. We've become a people who live for momentary pleasure, but somehow fail to look longterm at the consequences of our decisions. We live in a "Me" centered society. God's standard has been thrown out the window and our measure of right or wrong is relative to what our neighbor is doing. We compare ourselves with the world and have removed the standard to which Jesus died for.
Sad indeed.
Life is in the balance. The life of the unborn, the old, the disabled.
Traditional marriage is in the balance.
One or two Supreme Court seats are in the balance.
If we look at this election and look at what God values our decision should clearly evident. There are no gray areas.
I have read many messages that call us to fast and pray for this election. I pray that people will go to the voting booth and at the last minute will be convicted to vote for the more conservative candidate. (I just heard a lady on TV say she did just this...Praise God!)
I am not discouraged. The Bible tells us that God places kings in power and he removes them. Sometimes his people need to be challenged and he will place the necessary ruler over them. God's people have lived in prosperity and they have lived in oppression. Either way we still know who sits on the Throne!