Perhaps I am showing my age, when I recall my elderly family calling today Decoration Day. But, it wasn't until 1967, that President Lyndon Johnson officially named May 30th Memorial Day and declared Waterloo, N.Y. the birthplace of this tradition. Families and military groups "decorated" graves of deceased Americans with flowers and American flags. After the American Civil War, the union based Grand Army of the Republic began Decoration Day. However, with the continuing North-South stress, small towns across America honored their own U.S. soldiers, who died while in military service, on various dates. Establishing May 30th as a federal holiday, became a way to distract Americans from the focus on our past differences, while honoring our fallen. Do you recall the crepe paper poppies people wore? The VFW began selling them as a fund raising project, that became identified with Memorial Day. I wonder how many of our children and grandchildren will recall this in the future. Part of genealogy is perpetuating history, so you may want to share these details with your descendant, or even make your own poppies! Directions: http://www.awm.gov.au/education/programs/prepost/PRIM_makePoppy.pdf To sum up Memorial Day, which was officially changed, with much the consternation of U.S. military groups, to the last Monday of May, only to create a long weekend. Here are Irving Berlin's lyrics to "God Bless America." Will you sing along with Dublin born, medical physician, Ronan Tynan? I've included two versions: one up close of Tynan, and the other on 2 September 2008, during the last game played at Yankee Stadium~ "The House that Ruth Built." May you be blessed today. Barb N of NYC @ BSL 5/25/09 God Bless America Words and music by Irving Berlin © Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving Berlin While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. God Bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above. >From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home. Ronan Tynan sings at Yankee Stadium: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVYu76s86eM&feature=related & Ronan Tynan sings, headshot: http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdPQfJHZdd8&feature=related ************** We found the real ‘Hotel California’ and the ‘Seinfeld’ diner. What will you find? Explore WhereItsAt.com. (http://www.whereitsat.com/?ncid=emlwenew00000004)
The poppies are still sold today, in many parts of the country. I think it depends on how many auxiliary members the individual Posts have. The members have dwindled in our town, and I never did see anyone with the "Buddy Poppies" this year. Ann