Decoration Day: More Than A Three-Day Weekend

I've been reading about plans people have for this weekend and listening to traffic updates on the radio. It seems as if most everyone is heading to the beach or neighborhood pool or just the backyard. I have to admit that I'm planning our own little cook-out on Monday afternoon and it's guaranteed to sport red, white, and blue decorations along with burgers and watermelon (to be repeated on July 4th). I don't suppose there's ever a bad time to grill some beef and hang out with friends.

But in honor of Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day and first observed on May 30, 1868, here is one of my favorite poems and one my former students are sure to remember:

In Flanders Fields John McCrae, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

And in case you need a little history lesson, this poem was written in 1915 after the author possibly witnessed the death of his fellow soldier and friend. This poem was thereafter often found in the pockets of soldiers and is what inspired the red poppy-pins that are sold during most Memorial Days (I'll be curious to see if anybody is at our local stores selling these pins this weekend). Anyway, it's worth taking the time to think and reflect and remember why we fly the American flag outside our home.

It really is more than burgers and watermelon and homemade ice-cream.
Not that I'm opposed to any of that. Any day is a good day to eat.
But in the midst of it all, take the time and honor those who have made it possible.

And fly your flag proudly.