The Meaning and History of Memorial Day

Since so many of us have off tomorrow for Memorial Day, I thought it was a good idea for us to all remember the meaning and history behind Memorial Day. I even learned some things about the day I never knew!
HISTORY
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades.
WAYS TO OBSERVE THE HOLIDAY
*by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

*by visiting memorials.

*by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

*by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).

*by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.

*by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

Check out this Memorial Day site for more information. I also suggest taking the time on Memorial Day to teach your children what the day really means and get their suggestions on ways they can also observe the holiday.
How are you and your family observing Memorial Day? Leave your comments here.