Monday Meditation: Soldier's Memorial Day

 

One of the first observances of what became known as Decoration Day happened 
 on May 25, 1866 when a group of widows, mothers, aunts, sisters, and others
 visited a cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi to decorate the graves of the
Confederate soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Shiloh.  There were also
buried there, men who had fought for the Union, but whose graves were
neglected because they had been the enemy.  The women were so disturbed
at the sight of the bare graves that they decided to decorate them too.  

Decoration Day was later changed to Memorial Day to honor all 
Americans who have fallen while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Although it has since become known as "the official start of summer" I believe 
 Memorial Day should be observed as time of solemn reflection and gratitude
for those who gave their lives defending this nation and to protect our freedom.

Decoration Day Ceremony

Hollywood Cemetery

Richmond, Virginia

(May 31, 1867)

Harpers & Row

Image courtesy/Wikipedia

When flow'ry Summer is at hand,

And Spring has gemm'd the earth with bloom,

We hither bring, with loving hand,
Bright flow'rs to deck our soldier's tomb.

(Chorus)
Gentle birds above are sweetly singing
O'er the graves of heroes brave and true;
While the sweetest flow'rs we are bringing,
Wreath'd in garlands of red, white, and blue.

They died our country to redeem,
And from the loving earth we bring
The wealth of hill, and vale, and stream,
Our grateful land's best offering.

Gentle birds above are sweetly singing
O'er the graves of heroes brave and true;
While the sweetest flow'rs we are bringing,
Wreath'd in garlands of red, white, and blue.

With snowy hawthorn, clusters white,
Fair violets of heav'nly blue,
And early roses, fresh and bright,
We wreathe the red, and white, and blue.

Gentle birds above are sweetly singing
O'er the graves of heroes brave and true;
While the sweetest flow'rs we are bringing,
Wreath'd in garlands of red, white, and blue.

But purer than the fairest flowers,
We strew above the honored dead,
The tender changeless love of ours,
That decks the soldier's lowly bed.

Gentle birds above are sweetly singing
O'er the graves of heroes brave and true;
While the sweetest flow'rs we are bringing,
Wreath'd in garlands of red, white, and blue.

We bend and kiss the precious sod,
Swift fall our tears the graves above
Oh! Brothers! from the hills of God,
Look down and see our changeless love.

Gentle birds above are sweetly singing
O'er the graves of heroes brave and true;
While the sweetest flow'rs we are bringing,
Wreath'd in garlands of red, white, and blue.

Picture courtesy/Royal Examiner

"Soldier's Memorial Day"
(1870)
Mary Bridges Canedy Slade
(1826-1882)
American poet, Pastor's wife, 
Educator, editor, and hymn writer