updated May 25, 2025
In the United States, we observe the unofficial start of summer at the end of May as a “holiday” weekend. However, Memorial Day is the day Americans set aside to honor those brave men and women who lost their lives while defending our freedom.
As the daughter and wife of United States military veterans, I appreciate all the other families of our country’s veterans. With sadness and appreciation, I remember men and women who left home to serve our nation and never returned.
Presidential Proclamation
“Memorial Day is a sacred day of remembrance, reverence, and gratitude for the brave patriots who have laid down their lives in service to our great Nation. Throughout our history, brave men and women have been called to defend the cause of liberty on foreign shores in defense of our homeland.
Their noble sacrifices are marked by flag-draped coffins and the silent sorrows of those left behind. We must never forget those who have given everything for our country.” continue reading
The American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as a symbol of this remembrance.
Why a poppy?
In the battlefields of Belgium during World War I, poppies grew wild amid the ravages of war. The overturned soils of battle covered the poppy seeds, allowing them to grow and forever reminding us of the bloodshed of war.
Out of this conflict and the poppies came a poem, which has become synonymous with remembrance and honor.
In Flanders Fields
This now iconic poem was written by a Canadian physician, Lt. Col. John McCrae.
Dr.McCrae was an English and math teacher, and poet before he attended medical school. He moved to England and was practicing there when World War I broke out, and he was called to serve as a brigade surgeon.
I suspect that as a physician, he was deeply pained by treating the wounded, and losing the ones he could not save.
“In April 1915, McCrae was stationed in the trenches near Ypres, Belgium, in an area known as Flanders, during the bloody Second Battle of Ypres.
In the midst of the tragic warfare, McCrae’s friend, twenty-two-year-old Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed by artillery fire and buried in a makeshift grave.
The following day, McCrae, after seeing the field of makeshift graves blooming with wild poppies, wrote his famous poem “In Flanders Field,” which would be the second to last poem he would ever write.”
poets.org
In Flanders Fields
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.
This poem is in the public domain.
join us in prayer that Almighty God may comfort those who mourn, grant protection to all who serve, and bring blessed peace to the world.
President Donald Trump, Presidential Proclamation 2025
How to observe Memorial Day
The United Services Organization, known as the USO, offers these and other suggestions for observing Memorial Day. Why not try one this year and make it an annual occurrence in your family.
- Walk through a veterans cemetery or designated veterans area of a civilian cemetery
- Participate in a Memorial Day walk or race
- Attend or watch virtually a Memorial Day parade
- Visit in person or virtually a war or veterans memorial
- Talk to family members about your relatives who have served our country, especially those who lost their lives in service
On year I visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in New Mexico on Memorial Day. Here is my story.
A Personal Tribute on Memorial Day at Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May in the U.S., honors those who died serving in the armed forces. In 2014, we visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico, to participate in a remembrance service and view an engraved brick .
Exploring the HEART of service and sacrifice
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YES! I, too, am the daughter and wife of military veterans. I, too, remember Memorial Day each year for those who fought and died and for those who fought and are still with us. ‘Tis not a day for barbecues and family gathering of such to me. The day is so much deeper in my soul. Thanks for reminding us of the history of the poppy. I wrote about this one year along with the poem, but it has been a few years. Thanks.
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