This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, and as we celebrate by getting together with family and friends to enjoy barbeques and parades, let us pause for a moment to remember all those who died in uniform protecting democracy.
Additionally, we should all be mindful of how to properly display flags on Memorial Day. From sunrise until noon, all American flags should be flown at half-staff to honor the fallen soldiers who died for our country, then raised to full-staff from noon until sunset to honor our living veterans.
Memorial Day started as Decoration Day in 1868 to honor the fallen soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in remembrance of U.S. service members who died in all wars and designated its observance to the last Monday of May. The tradition of placing flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers began with Decoration Day and continues to this day.
Every year, the President of the United States holds a ceremony on Memorial Day wherein he lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Tomb is a monument located in the heart of Arlington National Cemetery which is dedicated to all deceased U.S. service members whose remains have not been returned or identified. The white marble sarcophagus includes three Greek statues representing Peace, Victory, and Valor, and an inscription that reads:
“Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”
In addition to displaying the American flag and placing flowers on veterans’ graves, Americans can also commemorate Memorial Day by donating, volunteering with, or spreading awareness of organizations that support veterans and their families. Organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Korean War Veterans Association, and the Wounded Warrior Project are always in need of support.
These organizations honor our fallen heroes while aiding veterans who have returned and now need support with medical care, mental health issues, and professional development. On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, I encourage you to continue to support them. One way to do this is by purchasing red poppies, which are often sold throughout the month of May to raise funds for veterans organizations.
The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian military surgeon during World War I, saw red poppies growing among the graves of fallen soldiers in Flanders Field, which inspired him to write the poem “In Flanders Fields” in 1915. In the poem, McCrae wrote of the juxtaposition of the soldiers’ graves — and the horror and sadness of war — with the beautiful flowers. Here are the opening and closing lines of the poem:
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row,”…
“If ye break faith with us who die / We shall not sleep, though poppies grow / In Flanders fields.”
On Memorial Day, let’s remember and honor the brave men and women in uniform who died defending democracy, and let’s take a moment to thank the members of the Armed Forces who continue that effort. May God continue to watch over and protect them.
Middlesex County Commissioner Director
Ronald Rios
