This Day of Memorial

From USMemorialday.org & News One:

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. But according to one Yale University professor, A celebration and burial of dead soldiers held by African Americans on May 1, 1865, on a South Carolina burial ground was the first recorded Memorial Day. Professor David Blight says many Union soldiers were buried improperly in a burial ground that once was a race track. After the Civil War ended, many blacks returned to the grounds to give the fallen soldiers proper burials.

While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Like most holidays, some of us take the actual purpose of those days for granted. We just celebrate having another day off from work, rather than acknowledging why we are off from work. Today, I ask you in between your barbecue, low country boil, or tv dinner, that you take a moment, to pay respect to all of those who fought countless uncalled for wars for this freedom that we have, which wasn't so free at all. Because there were/are young wo/men all over the world who are sacrificing their time, money, and giving their lives so you and I can be----Free. Don't ever forget that!!! We are allowed to do what we do, because someone gave up something so we could have some things. Be appreciative, be thankful, and do take time to commemorate/remember/celebrate those who are the reason for This Day Of Memorial.

We at WoodWorkz thank you and salute you all.