Memorial Day History

Memorial Day history is held on the last Monday of the month of May. Memorial Day is a day to pay tribute to all those who died while in military service of our country. Memorial Day history states it was originally known as Decoration Day. It originated in the years following the Civil War and called Decoration Day because that day was used to decorate the graves of the Civil War soldiers. Memorial Day history also tells us that the end of May was chosen because of that is the season of many flowers in bloom.

Memorial Day history continues…Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. Today, the meaning of Memorial Day continues with many Americans observing the holiday by visiting cemeteries or memorials to honor military men and women who died in the wars since, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer for many Americans.

Memorial Day Poems

Celebrate Memorial Day with your family by writing a special poem. Write a poem with your children or grandchildren about the meaning of memorial day. I’d love to add their Memorial Day poems here!Â Do you have a favorite Memorial Day poem? Please share it with us. I hope you will participate in your local Memorial Day celebration to honor our fallen military men and women.

MEMORIAL DAY POEM

The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmic with the feet
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.

The roses blossom white and red
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead
And martial music cleaves the sky.

Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.
Through flying lead and crimson steel
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.

May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God.

In shining rank on rank arrayed
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace…Who brought a sword.

~ Joyce Kilmer 1917 ~

I STAND BEFORE YOU

I stand before you all today
But not one eye can see my way

My time arrived, to leave this earth
A fact so planned, to every birth

It happened where I had to go
My torch for life was so aglow

I transferred while in uniform
Protecting freedom, through a storm

Should I resent I died for you
Not on my life, red white and blue

Please help my family through each day
Tell all my friends, try not to stray

And of the country I did love
Do think of me, through God above

Your memories, brought forth this day
Send love to us, who could not stay

MEMORIAL DAY PRAYER

Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o’er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Dream of battled fields no more.
Days of danger, nights of waking.

~ Sir Walter Scott ~

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Memorial Day History | 3 Memorial Day Poems