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Memorial Day - Remember those who gave the most

For most, Memorial Day marks that beginning of summer.  The school year is coming to an end; the temperature outside is finally warm; and t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops are out of storage!  Many folks celebrate the long holiday weekend by taking a trip to the lake, attending a picnic, or taking advantage of "the lowest prices of the year" during a Memorial Day Sale.

But, Memorial Day is a lot more than a day off from work.  Originally called "Decoration Day" it is a day of remembrance for those who died in service of the United States of America.  It began after the Civil War as a day to remember both the Union and Confederate soldiers killed in the conflict.  According to www.USMemorialDay.org:

"It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. “The 30th 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 during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle."

Memorial Day became an official U.S. holiday in 1971.  Communities across the country host parades honoring veterans on Memorial Day each year.  In addition, Scouts and military alike decorate the graves of deceased veterans with American flags for the occasion. At Arlington National Cemetery, 1,200 members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry place 260,000 flags at each of the gravestones. It's a moving sight to see. 

My father served in the Air Force and has a marker at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota. It's been standing for more than 30 years.  When my mom passed away in late 2016, we requested her information be engraved on the back of my Dad's headstone.  We recently received word that the stone was complete and back in place at the cemetery.  



This year on Memorial Day, I will rejoice in having a day from work, lounge around the pool with my kids, and shop and sale or two.  I'll also think a lot about my Dad and Mom - and the thousands of deceased veterans whose creamy white markers line the hills of our national cemeteries - and say a little prayer of thanks and remembrance. 



Note: This was originally published on my real estate blog, "Sarah Sell My House."

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