In honor of Memorial Day...
In the US, Memorial Day is the day we honor those who gave their lives in active military service to protect and defend the country and the freedom of its people.
The day was originally called Decoration Day. It traces its start to the Civil War period when women began to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. After the War ended, efforts to create an official day of remembrance for those who lost their life in battle were launched. In 1868, General John Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (a Union Army veterans organization), proclaimed "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..."
From this simple proclamation 153 years ago, the day has evolved into a US national holiday dedicated to the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting its ideals during military service.
I hope you enjoy the day and stay safe!
1995 Civil War Battlefields Silver Dollar
(Image courtesy of PGS CoinFacts, http://www.PCGS.com.)Here's Chamberlains full quote (way too much for the coin's reverse!):
"In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls."
Posted 05/31/2021 2:34 pm
