Comments on: 10 Things to Remember About Memorial Day

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:23:00 +0000

I’m not sure if the VFW sells poppies as mentioned, but I know for sure that the American Legion does, every year.

By: Brenda Stahr

Brenda Stahr — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:45:00 +0000

In your “other traditions” related to Memorial (or, Decoration) Day, you omitted that it is the official date for changing into summer wardrobes, esp. white pants and white shoes. Perhaps when you publish a similar item for Labor Day, you will include that that is the date for ending summer wardrobes. No white shoes (or seersucker, pin cords, etc.) after Labor Day – unless you live in the true tropics.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Grew up in TX. Never heard of anyone celebrating confederate heroes there… Weird.

By: Law Of Attraction

Law Of Attraction — Mon, 25 May 2009 04:21:00 +0000

Don’t forget the word “Memorial.” It’s not only the opening weeked of the summer season.

Thanks for sharing these interesting facts. May God bless all of those who have given their lives and all who protect this country’s freedom.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:14:00 +0000

Many countries have their traditions in honouring those who have fought and died in the cause of preserving freedom and it’s nice to see an article about the traditions in the US.

Mention should be made, though, that John McRea was a physician in the Canadian army during World War I, eventually ending up as a Lieutenant Colonel before his death in France on January 28th, 1918.

His famous poem is posted below.

In Flanders Fields

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

In Canada, on November 11th (called Rememberance Day here), the saying we have is “Lest We Forget” and it rings true throughout history.

Happy Memorial Day!