When I was a little girl Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day. Does anyone else remember this?
From Wikipedia:
“The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from ‘Decoration Day’ to ‘Memorial Day’, which was first used in 1882. Memorial Day did not become the more common name until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted Congress’ change of date within a few years.”
I recall when my parents said Decoration Day rather than Memorial Day. There was a parade every year with bands, veterans, boy scouts, girl scouts and a firetruck. Local kids decorated their bicycles and rode in the parade; the best decorated bikes won prizes. Politicians gave speeches in the local park. Then everyone went home to a barbecue. Ours was little more than hot dogs spitted on sticks and cooked over a small open fire. But we loved it. Dad never talked much about his time fighting in WWII, he had a tough time of it but at least he came home. Mom DID talk about it though and back in those days (the mid-fifties) we studied US history and learned about WWII. It was difficult times abroad and at home. We must never forget our veterans who gave all.
The Americana-style painted fish is great – wish I had one.
Our town’s activities and experiences were rather much like yours! Those are comforting memories, when everyone was grateful to be alive and hopefully solvent. My dad’s health issues prevented him from being accepted in the military and he was embarrassed to be home. All my bunch of uncles served around the globe and came home to their families! The “Decoration” day signified decorating soldiers’s graves with flowers. My Girl Scout troop did some decorating for those graves with no family left.
I am ever so grateful to those who lost their lives in defense of freedom, remembered this Memorial Day and in all the years to come.
And, in the “related posts,” I’m delighted to see two favorite patterns of mine. The Girl Sewing has certainly been popular, both by people who find in her a pose so familiar to those of us who sew or who have been taught to sew, and by those of us who relish using Lori’s Free Motion designs to bring personality to all sorts of patterns. Thanks, Lori, for the postings and for your design work.
Lori, I have continued to design from your Women Sewing Saturday postings if you would like more to post.
Peggy Aare
While I am on the soapbox, I want to commend parents and grandparents who are teaching respect to their sons and daughters. Lately many children ages 5-6 thru upper teens have come up to my husband in public and thanked him for his service and shook his hand. He thanks them when he can, but he also gets choked up sometimes. He has his favorite army/veteran designation cap he wears, but the walking cane or wheelchair (for rough days) give it away also. I am thrilled and thankful to see him receive personal recognition. He has lived with the emotional and physical effects for many years and always will. Bless all our heroes!
LOL… I laughed because we were able to come up to the lake for the weekend,, No one is fishing ! They are buzzing around on jetskis, waterskis, house boats and small motorboats. I think the fish are hiding this weekend. It looks like he might be saying, “Hey, we are supposed to be remembering our heroes!” But here’s hoping our heroes are enjoying themselves and their families and friends this holiday!! Thank you Lord for their service.
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5 comments
Suzanne
When I was a little girl Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day. Does anyone else remember this?
From Wikipedia:
“The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from ‘Decoration Day’ to ‘Memorial Day’, which was first used in 1882. Memorial Day did not become the more common name until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted Congress’ change of date within a few years.”
I recall when my parents said Decoration Day rather than Memorial Day. There was a parade every year with bands, veterans, boy scouts, girl scouts and a firetruck. Local kids decorated their bicycles and rode in the parade; the best decorated bikes won prizes. Politicians gave speeches in the local park. Then everyone went home to a barbecue. Ours was little more than hot dogs spitted on sticks and cooked over a small open fire. But we loved it. Dad never talked much about his time fighting in WWII, he had a tough time of it but at least he came home. Mom DID talk about it though and back in those days (the mid-fifties) we studied US history and learned about WWII. It was difficult times abroad and at home. We must never forget our veterans who gave all.
The Americana-style painted fish is great – wish I had one.
Marta
Our town’s activities and experiences were rather much like yours! Those are comforting memories, when everyone was grateful to be alive and hopefully solvent. My dad’s health issues prevented him from being accepted in the military and he was embarrassed to be home. All my bunch of uncles served around the globe and came home to their families! The “Decoration” day signified decorating soldiers’s graves with flowers. My Girl Scout troop did some decorating for those graves with no family left.
Peggy Aare
I am ever so grateful to those who lost their lives in defense of freedom, remembered this Memorial Day and in all the years to come.
And, in the “related posts,” I’m delighted to see two favorite patterns of mine. The Girl Sewing has certainly been popular, both by people who find in her a pose so familiar to those of us who sew or who have been taught to sew, and by those of us who relish using Lori’s Free Motion designs to bring personality to all sorts of patterns. Thanks, Lori, for the postings and for your design work.
Lori, I have continued to design from your Women Sewing Saturday postings if you would like more to post.
Peggy Aare
Marta
While I am on the soapbox, I want to commend parents and grandparents who are teaching respect to their sons and daughters. Lately many children ages 5-6 thru upper teens have come up to my husband in public and thanked him for his service and shook his hand. He thanks them when he can, but he also gets choked up sometimes. He has his favorite army/veteran designation cap he wears, but the walking cane or wheelchair (for rough days) give it away also. I am thrilled and thankful to see him receive personal recognition. He has lived with the emotional and physical effects for many years and always will. Bless all our heroes!
Marta
LOL… I laughed because we were able to come up to the lake for the weekend,, No one is fishing ! They are buzzing around on jetskis, waterskis, house boats and small motorboats. I think the fish are hiding this weekend. It looks like he might be saying, “Hey, we are supposed to be remembering our heroes!” But here’s hoping our heroes are enjoying themselves and their families and friends this holiday!! Thank you Lord for their service.
Comments are closed.