In the United States, Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May and honors Americans who gave their lives for their country in wars. "Formerly called Decoration Day. Honors United States soldiers and sailors who have died in wars. The custom began soon after the Civil War. In 1868 Gen. John A. Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, named May 30 for decorating the graves of Union soldiers. May 30 may have been chosen because that was the date of discharge of the last Union volunteers. Some states celebrate on the tradition date. Confederate Memorial Day is observed in some Southern states on one of four days--April 26, April 28, May 10, or June 3."
~Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia~

Why do we celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Aren't they the same thing?

Memorial Day honors the American Military who have died in their service
for the country.

Veterans Day: Is to appreciate all who have served their country both
alive and dead.
The Army describes the two holidays at this page: ~US Army Page~

What is the purpose of Memorial Day?
"Logan instructed Army installations to decorate graves and conduct special services as circumstances permitted. The general wrote the celebration had two purposes, other than honoring war undivided republic, and to renew our nation's pledge to assist the soldier's and sailor widows and orphans."
~From US Army Page~

Definitions from Webster's Dictionary
Memorial: Memorial \Me*mo"ri*al\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]morial.] 1. Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or event; something which serves to keep something else in remembrance; a monument.
Decoration Day: Decoration Day, a day, May 30, appointed for decorating with flowers the graves of the Union soldiers and sailors, who fell in the Civil War in the United States; Memorial Day. [U.S.]
Memorial Day: Memorial Day \Me*mo"ri*al Day\ A day, May 30, appointed for commemorating, by decorating their graves with flowers, by patriotic exercises, etc., the dead soldiers and sailors who served the Civil War (1861-65) in the United States; Decoration Day. It is a legal holiday in most of the States. In the Southern States, the Confederate Memorial Day is: May 30 in Virginia; April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in North Carolina and South Carolina; the second Friday in May in Tennessee; June 3 in Louisiana. [U. S.]

Here is what The World Book Encyclopedia says about Memorial Day:
Memorial Day, also called Decoration Day, is a patriotic holiday in the United States. It is a day to honor Americans who gave their lives for their country. Originally, Memorial Day honored military personnel who died in the Civil War (1861-1865). The holiday now also honors those who died in any war while serving the United States.

Memorial Day is a legal holiday in most states. Most Northern States and some Southern States observe Memorial Day the last Monday in May. This date was made a federal holiday by a law that became effective in 1971. Most of the Southern States also have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates the last Monday in April as Confederate Memorial Day. Alabama celebrates on the fourth Monday in April. Georgia observes this holiday on April 26. North Carolina and South Carolina celebrate it on May 10. Virginia observes the holiday on the last Monday in May. Louisiana observes it on June 3, and Tennessee has a holiday called Confederate Decoration Day on that date. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day on January 19.

Observance. On Memorial Day, people place flowers and flags on the graves of military personnel. Many organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and fraternal groups, march in military parades and take part in special programs. These programs often include the reading of Abraham Lincoln's - "Gettysburg Address". Memorials are often dedicated on this day. Military exercises and special programs are held at Gettysburg National Military Park and at the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. In addition, to honor those who died at sea, some United States ports organize ceremonies in which miniature ships filled with flowers are set afloat on the water.

Since the end of World War I, Memorial Day has also been Poppy Day. Volunteers sell small, red artificial poppies in order to help disabled veterans. In recent years, the custom has grown in most families to decorate the graves of loved ones on Memorial Day.

History. Several communities claim to have originated Memorial Day. But in 1966, the U.S. government proclaimed Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of the holiday. The people of Waterloo first observed Memorial Day on May 5, 1866, to honor soldiers killed in the Civil War. Businesses were closed, and people decorated soldiers' graves and flew flags at half-mast.

Major General John A. Logan in 1868 named May 30 as a special day for honoring the graves of Union soldiers. Logan served as commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans of the Civil War. They had charge of Memorial Day celebrations in the Northern States for many years. The American Legion took over this duty after World War I.

Here are the Bible Verses with the word "Memorial" in them.
There are 31 verses.

God never promises us tomorrow. We never know what a new day will bring. Life is very short. The Lord knows the number of our days but we don't. We should life each day as if it were our last. Live without regret for the words we never said or for the argument that you had yesterday. Pick up the phone and call.

"I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will
give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."
~Jeremiah 31:13~

Remembrances and Memories.
When we lose a loved one life seems almost unbearable.
First we are in shock. Then denial.

How do you have a Memorial Service for a loved one who has died?

1: You can visit their Grave and take some fresh flowers
2: Look at old pictures and share your thoughts and memories with loved ones and friends
3: A Memorial may take the form of a statue, monument, building, or park.

Grief Section

"To Live in the Hearts of Those You Leave Behind is not to Die."
~Robert Orr~

I have personally dealt with the SUDDEN & TRAGIC loss of a loved one. You are not alone! We never know what tomorrow will bring. God only promises us today. Don't put off restoring your relationship with the Lord for another day.
Visit: Annie's Testimony Page; A Message to you from Heaven & Annie's How to Cope with Grief & the Holidays Page

One of God's Memorials

After the Flood, God gave us a promise and a memorial. God told Noah that the Rainbow would be a symbol to us that He had promised that He would never flood the Earth again.

Genesis 9:15-17: "And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth."
To learn more about Noah visit: Annie's Noah's Ark Page

Lets imagine you have just died. You are at the gates of Heaven. You are asked one question. Why should we allow you in? Are you sure that you would be allowed to enter?

If you don't know the answer to that question then you need to make a choice right now.

To learn how to become a Christian and make the most important decision in your life...........click on the gates of heaven graphic. It will take you to a page by Campus Crusade for Christ that will explain very simply how you can be sure you will go to Heaven when you die.

Memorial Day Email Cards:
Memorial Day is observed Monday May 26th, 2008.
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and post date it for delivery on May 26th!!!

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Other Related Pages by Annie:
Annie's Veteran's Day Page
Annie's 4th of July Welcome Page
Annie's Flag Day Page
Annie's Presidents Day Page

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