In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row that mark our place. And in the sky the larks, still bravely singing fly, scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow. Loved, and were loved, now we lie in Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe. To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.
Memorial weekend is a big planting weekend for many…..for some known as Decoration day….Memorial weekend is a time to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the service of our country. As with the first “decoration days” around the time and following the Civil War, flowers and flags are used to help us remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the freedom we as Americans cherish. For many Memorial weekend is also a traditional time on the calendar to put some flowers and vegetable plants in the ground at home. Frost is past, summer is near and the calendar says it’s time to plant. Some however feel that it’s not the date on the calendar, but rather the Moon that gives rise to optimum conditions to plant. The moon completes one full cycle every 29 days. During that time new, waxing, full and waning moons...
Remember the reason for a Memorial Day Weekend… Under the shade of trees valor rests……
Memorial day, originally called Decoration day, has its roots in the 1800’s following the Civil War. Many different cities and towns lay claim to to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. Womens groups in the South were decorating graves with flowers before the end of the Civil War. General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed May 30 as Memorial day in his General order No. 11. Most calendars today will still designate May 30 as Memorial day, but it’s celebrated on the last Monday of the month to create a long holiday weekend. Interestingly, the South refused to acknowledge the designated day in the General Order. They honored their dead on a different day until World War I changed the holiday from honoring Civil war dead to honoring Americans who died in any war. It was also World War I that reinforced the “decorating”...