Memorial Day

Celebrated in most states on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is a time to remember the U.S. men and woman who lost their lives serving their country. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was established in 1868 to commemorate the dead from the Civil War. Over the years it came to serve as a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars.

The custom of placing flowers on graves is an old one that exists in many countries. Today, almost everywhere around the globe, people have a special day to honor not only those who gave their lives in battle, but also family members and friends whom they wish to remember.

"Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial not only honored the dead, but it offered the hope of healing to the living. The Wall describes the true cost of the war... one name at a time. Over forty million people are closely related to those names. Many of them are still paying the price of that war, with wounds still waiting to heal.

Go to this link for thoughts from a Vietnam Veteran, A Hug from the Wall And other Vietnam Veteran contributions. This was the war of my generation. I know many of it's survivors. I have great respect for them for what they have endured.