A Reader’s Perspective – Memorial Day’s Echo of Days Gone By

By Joanie Allbee

Memorial Day was declared a National Holiday in 1971 – a day set aside in the three-day weekend to reflect and honor Military personnel who died in battle. We place flags and flowers on graves of our heroes at rest. Often, you will see poppies worn on the left side of people’s lapels close to the heart. On Memorial Day, the poppies silently serve as reminders of yesterday’s war and fallen soldiers.

The wearing of the poppies is due to Lieutenant Colonel Dr. John McCrae’s Poem “In Flanders Fields.” Dr. McCrae served on the front lines in World War I In Flanders Fields. He saw how thousands of poppies grew amidst the dead soldiers’ graves and tragic battleground. The doctor penned the poem and campaigned successfully to have the poppy as a symbol of remembrance; to remember our fallen. The redness of the poppy serves to remind us of the bloodshed during the war.

The day’s main focus is to honor those who died serving our country and to cover their graves with flags and flowers. It is not the time, like on Veterans Day, to thank those who served or who are serving; or to wish a “Happy Memorial Day.” It’s a day of wishing a Meaningful remembrance and honoring those who died in service to our Country.

To quote Thomas Campbell, “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.“ Memorial Day is a time to remember with gratitude filled hearts.

The Chaplain’s Handbook expresses with condolence a Soldier’s prayer: “Almighty and Merciful God, we remember before You in this moment our departed comrades. We recall with reverence the good deeds they accomplished. We honor those who fought a good fight for a just cause – comrades both in war and in peace who have served this Country with dignity and with honor. May they rest in peace.“

In the Army, there are no goodbyes; it’s “see you soon.”

Wishing you all a reflective, remembering Memorial Day

  Editor’s Note: Saugus resident Joanie Allbee is a local artist and frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate. She is an author and longtime writer of articles for various publications – also known as “ THE SKETCH ARTIST.”