Originally called “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day has roots back to the Civil War.
It’s a day of remembrance for people who died in U.S. military service – contrary to popular belief (and practice) that it’s a long weekend for drinking, cooking and partying. Memorial Day is the last Monday of May, however some Southern states recognize different days for the remembrance of our heroes.
Years ago, the red poppy became associated with Memorial Day because the major World War I battlefields sprouted immeasurable quantities of red poppies after the war. The poem, “In Flanders Fields,” also talks of the red poppies growing between the graves of solders.
The first silk poppy was worn by Moina Michael in 1918. She also wrote her own short 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.”
Red poppies are traditionally sold to raise funds for veteran assistance groups like the VFW. I’m certain in the days preceding Memorial Day someone in town will be selling small red poppies. The two florists in town may have artificial poppies for sale.
So why do we observe this day? It is to remember the ultimate sacrifice that our military has made since the War of Northern Aggression. All these service members were part of families – who never returned home and never finished their lives – so that we may continue to live without undue persecution and enjoy the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
While in the pursuits of your last weekend of May, please consider the sacrifice of others, including all the young adults who weekly join the military.
Last month I wrote of this being the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. If there is anyone who would like to participate in a documentary please contact me. About 16 service members are needed.
This week, a $500 donation was made by American Legion Post 41 of Houston to the Texas County Library’s summer reading program. We would like to see the other veteran associations in the county contribute to this worthy cause.
As always, the Legion’s meeting nights are the second Thursday of the month, starting at 5:30 p.m. (or 1730 for the hardcore folks). We have snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at the meetings and we welcome visitors.
Houston resident Keith Ford is a retired infantryman and an amateur writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. Email kf4tap@yahoo.com.
