Memorial Day 2009
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, this year on May 25, 2009.
It is a US federal holiday formerly known as Decoration Day, commemorating American men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.
Remember:
Fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.
A national moment of remembrance will take place at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
Give donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day.
In Flanders Fields
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.— Lt-Col John McCrae (1872 – 1918)