A Short History of Memorial Day – and Poem
A SHORT HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY – and Poems
We all know that on Veterans Day we remember and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed forces. But do we know how the tradition started?
Quick! What’s the correct answer?
Here’s a hint: The first Memorial Day was observed in 1868.
Now you know, right?
It was called Decoration Day at first, and was meant to honor Union Soldiers who had died in that devastating war by decorating their graves with flowers. Local observances sprung up across the country with groups of women visited cemeteries and decorated graves of all the warriors – Union and Confederate. In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y the birthplace of Memorial Day.
In 2020, the U.S. Congress passed – and the president signed – into law The National Moment of Remembrance Act which led to the formation of the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The body’s goal is to “encourage the people of the United States to give back to their country by encouraging and coordinating commemorations of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance. The latter takes place at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, with a minute of silence and remembrance.
Now here are two poems from that time, we are reprinting for you.
The Blue and the Gray
By Francis Miles Finch (1867)
By the flow of an inland river
When the fleets of iron have fled Decoration Day
Where the blades of the grave grass quiver By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1882)
Asleep are the ranks of the dead.
Under the sod and the dew Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
Waiting the judgment day On this field of the Grounded Arms
Under the one the Blue Where foes no more molest,
Under the other the Gray. Nor sentry’s shot alarms!
From the silence of sorrowful hearts Ye have slept on the ground before,
The desolate mourners go And started to your feet
Lovingly laden with flowers At the cannon’s sudden roar.
Alike, for the friend and the foe. Or the drum’s redoubling beat.
Under the sod and the dew But in this camp of Death
waiting the judgment day No sound your slumber breaks;
Under the roses, the Blue Here is no fevered breath,
Under the lilies, the Gray. No wound that bleeds and aches.
Sadly, but not with upbraiding All is repose and peace,
The generous deed was done. Untrampled lies the sod;
In the storms of the years that are fading The shouts of battle cease,
No braver battle was won. It is the Truce of God!
Under the sod and the dew Rest Comrades, rest and sleep!
Waiting the judgment day The thoughts of men shall be
Under the blossoms, the Blue. As sentinels to keep
under the garlands, the Gray. Your rest from danger fee.
No more shall the war cry sever Your silent tents of green
Or the winding rivers be red We deck with fragrant flowers;
They banish our anger forever Yours has the suffering been,
When they laurel the graves of our dead. The memory shall be ours.
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting for judgment day
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.
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