5 Memorial Day Facts You May or May Not Know

1. Memorial Day was Originally Named “Decoration Day”

In 1869 Major General John A. Logan established Decoration Day as a day to honor the graves of those who died in the Civil War. In 1971 Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day, placed on the last Monday in May and declared a national holiday by an act of Congress. It also evolved to include all wars to commemorate our American military.

2. National Moment of Remembrance

Observance of Memorial Day takes place at 3pm local time and asks Americans to pause in silence to honor our fallen heroes.

3. Memorial Day Flag Etiquette

To honor our American military, a unique flag etiquette was created for Memorial Day. At sunrise, the flag should swiftly be raised to full staff then slowly lowered to half-staff. This is to honor all the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty. At noon, the flag is swiftly raised back to full-staff to salute all of those who have served.  

4. Tradition of Wearing Red Poppies

This tradition originated from John McCrae’s 1915 poem, In Flanders Fields. As a WW1 brigade surgeon, McCrae was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield. The red poppy symbolizes honor and remembrance.

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE
 
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.

5. Fun Fact

818 Hot Dogs are eaten per second during the Hot Dog season which begins Memorial Day thru Labor Day. What are some of your favorite toppings? Have you ever had a Lured Dog? House-Made Pimento Cheese, Bacon, Super Food Slaw, Mustard on an All-Beef Hebrew National Dog on Duke’s® Mayo “Buttered” Bun -Check out Lured Market in Lake Lure, NC for some delicious, hand crafted hot dogs this summer!!  https://www.luredmarketandgrill.com/

Happy Memorial Day from Pinnacle SIR