From the Woman’s Seat
You have tt here this month and I want to talk about a topic that is near and dear to my heart. It does not have anything to do with coming from a woman’s perspective, except that it is being written by yours truly. The discussion will be about our flag, Memorial Day, and the Red Poppy. I spent four years active duty and an additional four years of inactive service in the United States Marine Corps. The military has a place within me that can never be taken away. I learned many life lessons on how to protect myself as well as I was given structure and discipline that I was very much lacking growing up. The military became my foundation that I continue to grow upon every day. The only other place I have felt the “brotherhood” would have to be in the motorcycle community but that is another story for another day.
I found the following list on http://www.usmemorialday. org/observe.htm on how we should observe Memorial Day: 1.Visiting Cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes. 2.Visiting Memorials 3.Flying the United States Flag at half-staff until noon 4.By flying the ‘POW/MIA Flag’ as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act). 5.By participating in a “National Moment of Remembrance” at 1500 hours to pause for one minute and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played. 6.By renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
The United States flag is designed with meaning. First a bit of history; originally Betsy Ross had sewn the original flag that was first used by the Continental Army under George Washington’s control on January 1, 1776. His base camp was on Prospect Hill and George Washington gave the command to fly high our flag. The Continental Army was laying siege to Boston that had been taken over by the British Army. It was called the Grand Union flag then.
In 1915 a woman, Moina Michael was inspired by a poem “In Flanders Fields” she had written her own poem: We cherish too, the Poppy red. That grows on fields where valor led; it seems to signal to the skies that blood of heroes never dies. She then started to wear the red poppy on Memorial Day, in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She sold the poppies to her friends and co-workers with money going to benefit the servicemen in need. The tradition has The meaning of the United States flag starts with the spread to other counties. A Madam Guerin from France thirteen horizontal stripes, with seven red that alterwhile visiting the United States learned of the custom nates with the 6 white. The stripes are in represenand made artificial red poppies to raise money for war tation of the original thirteen colonies with the stars orphaned children and widowed women. In 1922 the represent each of the fifty states of the union. Even the VFW became the first veterans’ organization to sell colors have meaning; Red symbolizes Hardiness , the poppies nationally. In 1948 the United States Post capacity for enduring or sustaining hardship; capabilOffice honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the ity of surviving under unfavorable conditions and Valor, Poppy movement with a red three cent postage stamp. boldness or determination in facing great danger, espe- To this day the VFW continues to sell the Red Poppy to cially in battle; heroic courage; bravery. White symbol- help other soldiers in need. Before you walk by take a izes Purity and Innocence and last but not least Blue moment to tell them thank you for their unselfish giving is for Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice. This pretty to make life easier for our hard working troops. much sums up America. As you are riding, keep in mind the soldiers who have Memorial Day is the last Monday of the month of May. sacrifices so much for our freedoms. Have a safe and Decoration Day was the original title starting in 1865 Happy Memorial Day, and ride safe. with the community decorating the graves of the fallen Until next month.......tt United States soldiers. Flowers were left on the soldiers’ graves as a way to commemorate or to honor those that have given their life in our nation’s service. In conducting my research I have found that many a town lay claim to be the first to start the tradition of Memorial Day. The official birth place of Memorial Day in Waterloo, New York was declared by Congress and President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. A quote that says it all “…gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime…let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, --the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.” – General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868. 36 - TRMI MAY 2011
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