Memorial Day

[Eddies66]

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

[Ed Fernandez]

Well said Eddie.







15 more to go.

[FED 387]

X 2-- unfortuantely things like this have to been done---what a total waste of people/equipment/money WORLWIDE-- It's a tragedy we all cannot just get along!!!! Think how much better off we all would be or would have been..... FED387

[Eddies66]

Just in case you would ever need to be reminded.

[SStockDart]

Approximately 2.7 million Americans served in the war zone; 300,000 were wounded and approximately 75,000 permanently disabled. Officially there are still 1,870 Americans unaccounted for from SE Asia. Approximately 1200 of these are listed as missing (MIA's, POW's, and others).

And to my 58,215 Brothers and Sisters who never returned from Viet Nam, God Bless You All.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

Approximately 2.7 million Americans served in the war zone; 300,000 were wounded and approximately 75,000 permanently disabled. Officially there are still 1,870 Americans unaccounted for from SE Asia. Approximately 1200 of these are listed as missing (MIA's, POW's, and others).

And to my 58,215 Brothers and Sisters who never returned from Viet Nam, God Bless You All.

God Bless them indeed...and Eddie is right about remembering the ones that suffered the loss of a loved one. I wish the rising generations would all visit the Wall in D.C. and perhaps grasp the enormity of the sacrifice.

[Eddies66]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

Approximately 2.7 million Americans served in the war zone; 300,000 were wounded and approximately 75,000 permanently disabled. Officially there are still 1,870 Americans unaccounted for from SE Asia. Approximately 1200 of these are listed as missing (MIA's, POW's, and others).

And to my 58,215 Brothers and Sisters who never returned from Viet Nam, God Bless You All.

DEATH OF A SOLDIER

He fell
On a foreign battle-field
And thought himself forgot.

In flag draped coffin he returned
Home to his beloved country
And crowds lined the streets in homage
As the hearse went slowly by.

He is not forgot
With name inscribed
Upon the roll of eternal honour
For the sacrifice he made.


Colin Ian Jeffery