Like many American holidays, Memorial Day is often just another day off for workers and their families. To add meaning to the holiday, it’s helpful to learn about its history and customs. There are many stories surrounding Memorial Day, but a few are more popular and credible. Records state that after the Civil War, groups of women in both the North and South visited gravesites, adorning soldier's graves with flowers. Whatever stories are true, the main focus is always the same—to honor those lost in service to our country.
Here’s a little interesting history to share with all the Rhinos in your life! The first official Memorial Day was held on May 30, 1868, organized by General John Logan. (The date was chosen because it was not an anniversary date of a battle.) To honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, flowers were placed on Union and Confederate graves in ArlingtonNationalCemetery. New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873.
It took over 100 years, but in 1971, Congress enacted the National Holiday Act, and the observance of Memorial Day was changed from May 30 to the last Monday in May of each year. Many credit this change of date to the decline of this day of remembrance, as people focused on the three day weekend instead of the original meaning of the holiday. In 1915, Moina Michael penned a poem, "We Shall Keep the Faith," honoring the fallen soldiers remembered on Memorial Day:
And now the Torch and Poppy red We wear in honour of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields.
She is credited with the idea of wearing poppies on Memorial Day, a tradition we see even today as veterans sell miniature poppy flowers across the country. Congress passed a resolution in the year 2000 to help Americans remember the true meaning of the holiday. This "National Moment of Remembrance" urges Americans at 3:00pm (their local time) on Memorial Day to remember those who have lost their lives in military service to their country.
This has been a special Memorial Day blog to remember all of our fallen Rhinos and their families. Our normally scheduled Tuesday Motivational Rhino email will focus on how you can achieve personal freedom in your life!
Action Steps: 1.) Now that you are more aware of the history behind Memorial Day, share this new found knowledge. Let’s keep the remembrance and history alive by educating others and showing respect to friends and family who have lost loved ones while serving their country.
2.) Show gratitude to those who have or are currently serving our country. The men and the women who serve or have served our country are ALL Rhinos in my book. They enlist not knowing if they are going to be called to war.
3.) Sit down with your children and WATCH this video. Share with them the story of Memorial Day. The more Rhino nuggets we place in our children, the greater the chance they will grow up and make a difference in this world. We are never too young or old to make a difference, Rhinos!
