Memorial Day ~ Decoration Day

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Memorial Day ~ a time of remembrance for those who died in service for their country.  It was originally called Decoration Day as the women would decorate the graves of the Civil War veterans.  This vintage postcard pictures a little girl doing just that.  I wrote this particular post last year but feel it is worth repeating again for this Memorial Day weekend.   

The caption on this next vintage postcard reads:
Let the Stars and Strips be waving o'er their generous sacrifice.

But his soul goes marching on.

My father was a veteran, and my husband is as well.  I am proud of their service to our country.  Our town celebrates Memorial Day with a small parade.  They stop at one point on their route and throw a floral wreath into the ocean to remember those whose lives were lost at sea. 

The following poem was written during World War I, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who was a soldier, physician, and poet.  It is written from the point of view of the dead, and spoke of their sacrifice and served as their command to the living to press on.  You can read more about this poem **here**

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

This post is linked to:  Anything Blue Friday,