We Must Never Forget to Honor Those That Sacrificed the Most
Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
by Patricia Johnson
Articles and Answers.com
“The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit …”
The first large observance of Decoration Day that year was at Arlington National Cemetery to honor those that died in the Civil War.
In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday for remembering all veterans who lost their lives in American wars. To correspond with other Federal holidays the day of celebration was changed to the last Monday in May. This year [2011] the last Monday in May also happens to be the 30th of May.
Following is a link to the Department of Veterans Affairs, November 2010, summary of soldier’s that have lost their lives in America’s wars from the American Revolution through 1991. A total of 42 million served in the U.S. military during that period with 651,031 battle deaths, 308,800 other deaths while in Theater [in war zone] and 230,254 other deaths while in service, non-Theater. This listing is in pdf so please download an Adobe pdf reader if you do not have one installed on your computer. Adobe Reader Download
Individual casualty totals from the Global War on Terrorism, [Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn] beginning October 7, 2001 (with no end in site). The data listed is through May 23, 2011.
The National Moment of Remembrance Act, P.L. 106-579, was passed by Congress and signed by President William J. Clinton. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
Source: http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp
© 2011 Patricia L Johnson
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hi Pat. Since I met you on the Q&A, I decided to get to know you a little better and found this timely article. Thank you for writing and the excellent details you provide here - too often we get wrapped up in or day-to-day life and forget what that "day off" from work is really for. Nope, it's not just for picnics. It's an important day in our American lives for many reasons and certainly it is a day of remembrance for all the sacrifices including the ultimate sacrifice that have been endured by so many. Thanks for a really fine article.Thank you Old Gray Mare, appreciate your comments. All too often we forget what's most important and it's especially important to remember our war dead while we're still at war and our soldiers are dying every day.
Pat Johnson
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