Today is Memorial Day, a national holiday in the U.S. where we officially remember and mourn all those who perished while serving in the country’s armed forces. Let’s take a look at the historical background to see how this holiday began.
Originally it was known as “Decoration Day” following the Civil War when both Union and Confederate soldiers honored their dead by decorating their graves with flowers. Today it has morphed into its current form honoring all Americans who served and paid the ultimate price for their service.
So why do we see people wearing red poppies on Memorial Day? Red poppies are associated with remembrance and officially became the national emblem of remembrance in 1920. Those little flowers originated from the battlefields of World War I because they sprouted in the unlikeliest of places. One reason-poppies are actually considered a weed and its seeds germinated when the soil was disturbed between the trench lines and the Western Front.
Poppies grew in the most inhospitable landscapes of war-torn battlefields in 1915 and from this wreckage of war, they seem to spring up like tiny beacons of hope.
As you can see, there is a difference yet there is still confusion between the various patriotic holidays celebrated in the U.S. Far too many people think Memorial Day honors every service members who served. The truth is Memorial Day honors those who gave their lives in service of their country. Unofficially it’s also known as the start of summer and too often used as a marketing campaign for such things like mattress sales.
We hope this post provides you with sufficient info regarding the origins of Memorial Day. Although our family has been blessed to not have lost anyone who served, we know families who were not as lucky and our hearts go out to them with deep appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. We honor their memory and send gentle thoughts of comfort today.
And even though it’s a serious day of remembrance, it’s still Monday which means we need to share a smile. Two weeks ago, the 148th American Kennel Club Dog Show was held and Wilson thought there may been some celebration during and after the competition. Congratulations to “Sage,” the miniature poodle who was won Best in Show. For more on her impressive win, see this story.
Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Mee-yow THE U-Ess-A iss furry paw-tree-otick!!! So kewl! Red Poppiess are so lovelee!!
Wee love THE comick two!
***nose bopss*** BellaDharma an ((huggiess)) BellaSita Mum
Thank you. We always have to start the week off with a smile, no matter what. 💙
What an adorable photo of Wilson looking so patriotic!
It’s great you shared the meanings of the days. So very important.
And the Westminster After Party cartoon is a hoot!
Hope you all had a memorable, safe, and nice Memorial Day Weekend.
Thank you. He’s such a sport and good natured about letting me dress him up.
Memorial Day is a bit confusing, but that graphic seems to put it all right.
Yesterday was a quiet day of reflection. Hope you had a good holiday.
Poppies are gorgeous!
Why thank you very much. They are pretty, even if they’re basically a weed.
Great post. You look most patriotic. XO
Aww, thanks-that’s very kind of you to say. Wilson is very photogenic (and patient with me posing him). Happy Monday.
That was really a wonderful post. Bless all of our heroes, we’ll always honor and remember them.
Yes, we honor all service people all the time but especially today, we honor and respect the sacrifices they made for our freedoms.
You’re right, there are a fair amount of people who do confuse these three days.
As for that afterparty, I can see it!
Wilson is definitely all in. Food/drink, count on him being front and center.
The one that’s not confusing-Memorial Day is not a day for retail sales events. That just steams me.
Haha! He’s the man!
Yeah I feel that.
Thank you! That was interesting and useful information. Happy Memorial Day.
Thanks, Thomas. It used to confuse me but then I found that graphic and it made total sense. Today I know we honor as well as respect those who made today possible. Happy Monday.
Love the after party. I imagine Angel Lexi wonders why she wasn’t invited. She was quite the party animal.
The church where I work was honoring those who died serving their country, and a veteran called to have his name put on the list. Uh, I felt odd having to explain to him that it was for those who DIED. So, even some of the veterans are confused, LOL!
Our culture has conflated the meaning of Memorial Day, it’s quite sad. Still I think it’s good to honor all who served but especially recognize those who ultimate sacrifice is what today is all about.
I can totally see Lexi and my Knucklehead Sam being the life of any after party. Happy Monday.
Well done, Monika. I’ve always kept in mind this day is to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I try to honor military folks every day, but this one is set aside for a specific reason and sometimes I think that reason gets “lost.”
I so agree with you Bruce. They deserve our honor every day but particularly today. And without stupid mattress sale. Happy Monday.
Thanks so much for clarifying the armed services holidays…and for the giggle at the “afterpawty” cartoon
Our pleasure. We think all who serve deserve our honor and respect everyday but especially today when we acknowledge they have given it their all.
They are all special days, but you’re right, they aren’t interchangeable. Although, any day is a good day to thank someone for their service.
Amen.
Thank you for clarifying Memorial Day, Monika. I’m always taken back when someone wishes a “Happy Memorial Day.” There should be nothing happy about paying tribute to those who were never given a chance to live a full life.
It’s hard-that whole Happy Memorial Day thing. I suspect it’s because Americans aren’t very good at expression sorrow around death. We tend to buy mattresses instead. Today we honor those who gave their all so that we can continue to enjoy our freedom.
😁
Yes, a special day indeed. My heart goes out to the families who have lost someone while serving.
LOL at the “after party!” I can see Wilson and Elsa getting into the party spirit. 🙂
Wilson can party with the best of them. Happy Monday.
I believe it! 🥳
Yes indeed, and then there is also Remembrance Day in countries associated with British roots…Also on Nov 11th. It’s like Memorial Day here. In Canada and others. We wear poppies there.
That is a funny cartoon! I think D & B would love to join a pawrty like that, LOL!
Wilson liked the idea of the after party celebration. 😆
Memorial Day seems confusing, it’s no wonder retailers create mattress sales. Hope your ‘howliday’ is safe. Happy Monday.
Wilson looks very dapper in his Memorial Day outfit!
He’s becoming a real sport posing in the hats and various costumes. Far more patient than Elsa. Happy Monday.
Thanks for the lesson – I know a lot of people are confused about what’s what when it comes to those three holidays. I watched Westminster and Sage absolutely rocked it with that strut – and that HAIRDO!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
I know I was confused for a long time so glad that graphic makes sense explaining it. Yeah, poodles be a bit full of themselves-just ask Elsa. Show cuts are truly hideous. Makes them look like Liberace in drag. LOL
Lulu: “That afterparty is a wingding all right …”
Java Bean: “Our Dada put our flag out first thing! He forgets it on some holidays but not on Memorial Day!”
Good for your Dada. I put ours out and realized it was backwards (since it’s hung vertically) and had to switch it.
A beautiful history lesson. Thank you for taking the time. Many get so confused.
Wilson is most handsome.
I linked this post to Awww Mondays. Wilson asked me to.
Have a fabulous day and week. A hug to you and scritches to the pups. ♥
Aww, you’re very kind, Sandee. Thank you. Wilson has become a good sport with the hats and posing for pics. Elsa says good-she hates all that falderal. And as always, thank you for including us in your Awww Monday’s post. Appreciate. Happy Monday and best wishes for a safe Memorial Day.
Thanks for the refresh on the history of this holiday. And Wilson looking Regal as always!Regarding the after party I’m Pretty sure that would be Koda swinging from the chandelier. Have a good week at the ranch. Temps are moving upward here at the Golden K which is welcomed. It is always a doubly special weekend because it always marks the day that Kali flew from Taiwan and joined the pack .
It always seemed confusing to me-so that graphic seemed pretty straight forward enough to share with others who might be confused. Temps are moving up here too. Not ready for 90’s which are expected to arrive by next week. Have a happy Monday, Mike. Give the Golden Girls a nice ear rub from me and remind Koda not to swing from chandeliers. 😉
Three different days so that Hallmark can triple their revenues. 😉. Ear rubs delivered with love.
Why Mike, you’re not cynical at all, are you? 🤣 But yeah, there’s probably more than a hint of truth to that observation.
The cats celebrated the dog show in the same manner!
I thought cats celebrated like that every day. 😻 Happy Monday.
They do!
We like the name Decoration Day much better. Mom’s great aunt always called today Decoration Day. Love the cartoon. We saw that on FB the other day and thought it was so true. Those stuffy show dogs are usually hot messes when they are not at shows! Enjoy the holiday.
Decoration Day does make sense. Growing up as a kid, I always thought Memorial Day was a day to honor everyone who had passed away and I’m sure there will be loads of visits to loved ones in cemetaries.
Show dogs…hot messes? You could say the same about a lot of those tightly wound owners too. Whenever I see the movie “Best In Show” I’m reminded it wasn’t exactly a parody of some of the players. Happy Monday.
Youse guys are so complicated. 😉
We just have Remembrance Day and it covers all those, dead and alive who served and are still serving.
Happy Monday to you. Lookin’ quite smart, Wilson.
Sigh…we’re not the brightest of world citizens. I’m always repulsed by the profiting of war, ignoring the people who served to make freedom possible for the rest of us. Happy Monday to our favorite northern cousin.
Sweet little doggie.🩷🌸
Thank you for making the distinction regarding the different patriotic holidays.
I love the Westminster meme!
Thanks. I’d been confused as well so when I saw that meme I knew we should share it. Happy Memorial Day.
Thank you for the explanation of how Memorial Day came about…I have to admit to being repulsed by seeing advertisements for goods associated with it!
The cartoon…..yes, I know Westminster is the dog show in the U.S., but for me it is the seat of British government and I thought ‘oh, how apt!’
Hahaha, that is so apropos, Helen. No doubt a lot of members of government feel like they need to party like it’s their job. The advertisements make me cringe profiting off the blood of patriots. You won’t see us shopping today or Veteran’s Day. Nope, no way.
Lookin’ good, Wilson!
Thanks, mate! Happy Memorial Day.